A thought regarding our role

[Guest guest]

The story of the Christian EMT who was fired for refusing to transport a patient

to an abortion has brought up some interesting discussions regarding the role of

EMS.

Some of us believe that EMS providers have the ability to turn down assignments

that they feel are morally wrong. Some of us believe that we should do what

we're paid and told to do.

The reality is that because EMS is not yet an independent profession like law or

medicine, we have limited (virtually no) ability to reject those cases we find

morally repugnant.

Even as a professional, if we reject those cases which are morally repugnant, we

cannot rightfully expect our decision to be universally accepted, much less

lauded by all. The ability to make decisions to accept a patient does not

insulate you from the repurcussions of such. (In other words, if I was employed

as a prosecutor for a DA and was told to take death penalty case, I could

ethically refuse to take the case, but I'd have no legal recourse if the DA

fired me.)

-Wes Ogilvie, MPA, JD, EMT-B

Austin, Texas

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