Guest guest Posted September 23, 2002 Report Share Posted September 23, 2002 Sorry to see all these guys go. Henry Bob Kellow wrote: > It's been my experience that EMS leaders are not revered ... they're > lynched! And, the EMS constituency often behaves like swine who kill > their own offspring out of fear, suspicion or post partum rage. > > Those who step up to the EMS leadership " plate " should understand that > there are inherent risks. Attempting to change the way EMS behaves, > acts, thinks or believes is professionally perilous and most often > completely unrewarding. In my EMS lifetime, I have witnessed the > " lynching " of many such leaders by a once admiring and appreciative EMS > community. There have been many, but the ones that come to mind include: > Rocco Morando, Norm Mc Swain, Boyd, Jim Page, Bill Roush, R A. > Cowley, Kimball Maull, Don Trunkey and Ken Maddox. One of the few to > escape the angry mob and retire gracefully was Leo Schwartz. > > The common characteristic among these EMS leaders is that they are never > satisfied with the status quo; they always push the envelope; they're > not concerned with their popularity; and, they always ask " why? " . Their > presence on the EMS scene was challenging and invigorating for those of > us who were unafraid to question conventional thinking. But for the > majority, their presence eventually led to fear, suspicion and rage > because they held nothing scientifically or materially sacred. They saw > no " givens " or " absolutes " . > > Eventually the tide of EMS public opinion began to turn against them. As > the EMS people carried them on their shoulders through the streets of > town heralding their names - they were completely unaware that they were > actually being transported to a tall tree on the outskirts of town, from > which the EMS industry lynches its' leaders. > > I have known and interacted with all of the EMS leaders listed above. > While they are all proud of their accomplishments, I believe that they > would all attest that it just isn't worth the effort and personal > sacrifice to attempt to turn 700,000 EMS people into critically > thinking, forward looking and progressive creators of change. > > Whether you're Bledsoe, Gene Gandy, Kathy Parkins, > or Donn - you can rest assured that there's a rope waiting at the > end of town with your name on it! If EMS history continues to repeat > itself, it'll not be a matter of " if " , but " when " . > > Bob Kellow > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2002 Report Share Posted September 24, 2002 From your mother to gods ears , and hopefully the ears of the EMS community. I am still relatively new to EMS.. It has only been about 5 years now and I have noticed that there are always that select few that want us to be great and escape the prison of mediocrity. I happen to know such a person very well, every where he has worked he has been promoted quickly for excellent patient care, high level of understanding, compassion for his patients and most of all to provide a challenging environment. He has always made himself available to new recruits 24 hours a day while there getting the hang of things. Written numerous sets of protocols for different services and developed education programs at these services creating a challenging work environment instead of just accepting the drive faster mentality. In light of his experiences and myself watching " incidents " occur in patient care.. I have to agree there is a significant problem with the attitude of " feed on the young " and the proverbial " pissing " contest of who knows more and not challenging the status quo. Why has this occurred? Heaven forbid that you question the patient care of one of the boss' closest and dearest friends. Heaven forbid that you follow the guidelines set forth in the standard of care.. ACLS, PALS, BTLS etc... If we can just get past the belief that it is who you know and not what you know or do that gets you places. It has been the case for many to raise questions just to be " shut down " for lack of better terminology. I was taught in my EMS cert classes that you are supposed to raise questions when things don't seem right or there appears to be a problem and to raise the bar for others to reach so the service as a whole benefits by learning from the " mistakes " of others and educate so that better decisions are made in the future. It seems that the more you ask the bigger the rug and broom get and the more sweeping under that rug occurs. So as part of my resolve I have decided to teach and hopefully instill in the young minds of EMS ALWAYS ask , ALWAYS question, because the more you do the more you learn. Practice your trade .... it is practicing medicine.... And for those out there who believe that you simply come to your job and work your shift and go home.. never questioning that status quo ... and continue to sweep their issues under the rug.. the state owns a really big vaccuum cleaner and probably will be glad to help tidy up your house. .People in general are tired of being over worked, under appreciated, and expected to do as the " boss " says while the double standard that seems to be reproducing like a virus, destroys the integrity of our profession. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2002 Report Share Posted September 25, 2002 Re: EMS Leadership > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Bob, > Your post are always, on point, authoritative and certainly expressed with > the perspective of a veteran of the EMS conquest for recognition. Seems like > your involvement goes back at least to the late 60's and early 70's with the > first EMT training in Fort Worth. As I reviewed your list of pioneers, it > struck me that two old friends were missing. Ron who helped develop > the first course in LA County, actually taught at Freedman (hope I > spelled it right) Hospital in Anaheim. It was the hospital that Rescue 51 > pulled into on the show. Back when and I became paramedics back in 76 > they had no local internship sites, so we flew to LA for rotations, and I > still have a set of the first Paramedic training manuals from LA. The class > was half LA County FD, and half Anaheim FD. Then there was my old friend > Fogarty, pioneer in vascular everything, who decided it was easier to > grow grapes and sell them by the bottle than just about anything else he > could do to promulgate heart health. > > Thanks for your always insightful, on point and to the heart commentary. I'm > glad our friendship goes so far back, and that you are sharing your main > frame of EMS knowledge with the newest generation of folks capable of making > a difference in the future of this State, and the wider span of this list. > A. Duane > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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