Paramedic shortage affecting Texas county

[Guest guest]

Critical EMS shortage in on County

1/12/2007 5:42 PM

By: Catie Beck

A few minutes can mean the difference between life and death in an

emergency. And with a shortage of paramedics, time is crucial.

Nationally, the number of paramedics entering the workforce is dying down.

EMS branches in Central Texas say they feel the pinch from the shortage and

are trying to do all they can before service is affected.

The shortage isn't hurting service yet in on County, but without a

boost in employment numbers it will.

" Our call for service response times may go up, so we're trying to stay

ahead of the curve, " Sneed of on County EMS said.

Industry officials compare their situation to the nursing shortage. They say

the nursing profession quickly got the attention of the public about the

nursing shortage, so EMS workers are trying to do the same.

" Paramedics, as an industry or a profession, have not done a good job of

getting that word out, " Sneed said.

As the population in Central Texas continues to grow, so does the need for

experienced paramedics. Those who work in the field say the demand is becoming

more visible.

" Especially with the new roads that are opening there's just more people

moving to this area, more construction, so there is going to be a higher need

for paramedics, " paramedic said.

EMS leaders in on County are advertising nationally for new hires

and plan to open branches in Hutto and Cedar Park. The Cedar Park station will

be first to open within a few months. The Hutto location will depend on how

quickly they can staff it.

[Guest guest]

This problem is not just in your area sad to say. It is a nationwide problem.

The nursing shortage has decreased, but there is of course still a shortage in

part due to the rising needs or wants of the general aging and uneducated

population. There seems to be the group of people who are older and refuse to

get treatment until the last minute. Then there is the generally younger

poulation who want treatment for a broken fingernail. The pay went up and sign

on bonuses came,and so did the nurses.

IF and I do mean IF the pay and benefits ever went up for paramedics.....I

think we might be able to start correcting the shortage. Until then, the problem

will remain.

Steve Gann

ExLngHrn@... wrote:

Critical EMS shortage in on County

1/12/2007 5:42 PM

By: Catie Beck

A few minutes can mean the difference between life and death in an

emergency. And with a shortage of paramedics, time is crucial.

Nationally, the number of paramedics entering the workforce is dying down.

EMS branches in Central Texas say they feel the pinch from the shortage and

are trying to do all they can before service is affected.

The shortage isn't hurting service yet in on County, but without a

boost in employment numbers it will.

" Our call for service response times may go up, so we're trying to stay

ahead of the curve, " Sneed of on County EMS said.

Industry officials compare their situation to the nursing shortage. They say

the nursing profession quickly got the attention of the public about the

nursing shortage, so EMS workers are trying to do the same.

" Paramedics, as an industry or a profession, have not done a good job of

getting that word out, " Sneed said.

As the population in Central Texas continues to grow, so does the need for

experienced paramedics. Those who work in the field say the demand is becoming

more visible.

" Especially with the new roads that are opening there's just more people

moving to this area, more construction, so there is going to be a higher need

for paramedics, " paramedic said.

EMS leaders in on County are advertising nationally for new hires

and plan to open branches in Hutto and Cedar Park. The Cedar Park station will

be first to open within a few months. The Hutto location will depend on how

quickly they can staff it.

[Guest guest]

I have to agree with Steve, but for this to happen EMS MUST be unified. Why

work for an EMS provider making $8-$12 per hr, when you can make the same

wages working in fast food or somewhere else and have less stress. Or where

people look at other professions where they can make double that and more

doing less.

More pay would be nice..

Wayne

>

>Reply-To: texasems-l

>To: texasems-l

>Subject: Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas county

>Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:42:25 -0800 (PST)

>

>This problem is not just in your area sad to say. It is a nationwide

>problem. The nursing shortage has decreased, but there is of course still

>a shortage in part due to the rising needs or wants of the general aging

>and uneducated population. There seems to be the group of people who are

>older and refuse to get treatment until the last minute. Then there is the

>generally younger poulation who want treatment for a broken fingernail.

>The pay went up and sign on bonuses came,and so did the nurses.

>

> IF and I do mean IF the pay and benefits ever went up for

>paramedics.....I think we might be able to start correcting the shortage.

>Until then, the problem will remain.

>

> Steve Gann

>

>ExLngHrn@... wrote:

> Critical EMS shortage in on County

>1/12/2007 5:42 PM

>By: Catie Beck

>A few minutes can mean the difference between life and death in an

>emergency. And with a shortage of paramedics, time is crucial.

>Nationally, the number of paramedics entering the workforce is dying down.

>EMS branches in Central Texas say they feel the pinch from the shortage and

>are trying to do all they can before service is affected.

>The shortage isn't hurting service yet in on County, but without a

>boost in employment numbers it will.

> " Our call for service response times may go up, so we're trying to stay

>ahead of the curve, " Sneed of on County EMS said.

>Industry officials compare their situation to the nursing shortage. They

>say

>the nursing profession quickly got the attention of the public about the

>nursing shortage, so EMS workers are trying to do the same.

> " Paramedics, as an industry or a profession, have not done a good job of

>getting that word out, " Sneed said.

>As the population in Central Texas continues to grow, so does the need for

>experienced paramedics. Those who work in the field say the demand is

>becoming

>more visible.

> " Especially with the new roads that are opening there's just more people

>moving to this area, more construction, so there is going to be a higher

>need

>for paramedics, " paramedic said.

>EMS leaders in on County are advertising nationally for new hires

>and plan to open branches in Hutto and Cedar Park. The Cedar Park station

>will

>be first to open within a few months. The Hutto location will depend on how

>quickly they can staff it.

>

>

[Guest guest]

ARRRRRRRRGGGGHHH

Perhaps if people would quit using hourly rates as a comparison, we could

have some honest discussion about it!

$12 an hour at a fast food restaurant does NOT equate to $12 an hour in EMS.

Your compensations is adjusted for hours worked (read AT work) versus time

off. That guy sweating his ass off at Mcs for $7 an hour really doesn

t want to hear about how your movie was interrupted to go make a call.

When he works 8 hours, he works most of it. When we " work " , our asses

usually get numb.

Let's start talking annual base pay and use that as a comparison. EMS has

made great strides in pay recently and with honest analysis may well

continue to.

Chambers, LP

-- Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas county

>Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:42:25 -0800 (PST)

>

>This problem is not just in your area sad to say. It is a nationwide

>problem. The nursing shortage has decreased, but there is of course still

>a shortage in part due to the rising needs or wants of the general aging

>and uneducated population. There seems to be the group of people who are

>older and refuse to get treatment until the last minute. Then there is the

>generally younger poulation who want treatment for a broken fingernail.

>The pay went up and sign on bonuses came,and so did the nurses.

>

> IF and I do mean IF the pay and benefits ever went up for

>paramedics.....I think we might be able to start correcting the shortage.

>Until then, the problem will remain.

>

> Steve Gann

>

>ExLngHrn@... wrote:

> Critical EMS shortage in on County

>1/12/2007 5:42 PM

>By: Catie Beck

>A few minutes can mean the difference between life and death in an

>emergency. And with a shortage of paramedics, time is crucial.

>Nationally, the number of paramedics entering the workforce is dying down.

>EMS branches in Central Texas say they feel the pinch from the shortage and

>are trying to do all they can before service is affected.

>The shortage isn't hurting service yet in on County, but without a

>boost in employment numbers it will.

> " Our call for service response times may go up, so we're trying to stay

>ahead of the curve, " Sneed of on County EMS said.

>Industry officials compare their situation to the nursing shortage. They

>say

>the nursing profession quickly got the attention of the public about the

>nursing shortage, so EMS workers are trying to do the same.

> " Paramedics, as an industry or a profession, have not done a good job of

>getting that word out, " Sneed said.

>As the population in Central Texas continues to grow, so does the need for

>experienced paramedics. Those who work in the field say the demand is

>becoming

>more visible.

> " Especially with the new roads that are opening there's just more people

>moving to this area, more construction, so there is going to be a higher

>need

>for paramedics, " paramedic said.

>EMS leaders in on County are advertising nationally for new hires

>and plan to open branches in Hutto and Cedar Park. The Cedar Park station

>will

>be first to open within a few months. The Hutto location will depend on how

>quickly they can staff it.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ok, the way I see it, based on an eight hour day, EMS is paid anywhere from

$21-$45 an hour------------ IF we wanted to make what the McD guy is working, as

well as a ditch digger, or a construction worker.

Personally, I've heard many Medics who work a 24hr. shift would hate to go

back to a job working 8 hrs a day- 40 hours/wk. -plus overtime.

OK, that's just my .05 cents worth

NOW, LET THE BASHING BEGIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Chambers wrote:

ARRRRRRRRGGGGHHH

Perhaps if people would quit using hourly rates as a comparison, we could

have some honest discussion about it!

$12 an hour at a fast food restaurant does NOT equate to $12 an hour in EMS.

Your compensations is adjusted for hours worked (read AT work) versus time

off. That guy sweating his ass off at Mcs for $7 an hour really doesn

t want to hear about how your movie was interrupted to go make a call.

When he works 8 hours, he works most of it. When we " work " , our asses

usually get numb.

Let's start talking annual base pay and use that as a comparison. EMS has

made great strides in pay recently and with honest analysis may well

continue to.

Chambers, LP

-- Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas county

>Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:42:25 -0800 (PST)

>

>This problem is not just in your area sad to say. It is a nationwide

>problem. The nursing shortage has decreased, but there is of course still

>a shortage in part due to the rising needs or wants of the general aging

>and uneducated population. There seems to be the group of people who are

>older and refuse to get treatment until the last minute. Then there is the

>generally younger poulation who want treatment for a broken fingernail.

>The pay went up and sign on bonuses came,and so did the nurses.

>

> IF and I do mean IF the pay and benefits ever went up for

>paramedics.....I think we might be able to start correcting the shortage.

>Until then, the problem will remain.

>

> Steve Gann

>

>ExLngHrn@... wrote:

> Critical EMS shortage in on County

>1/12/2007 5:42 PM

>By: Catie Beck

>A few minutes can mean the difference between life and death in an

>emergency. And with a shortage of paramedics, time is crucial.

>Nationally, the number of paramedics entering the workforce is dying down.

>EMS branches in Central Texas say they feel the pinch from the shortage and

>are trying to do all they can before service is affected.

>The shortage isn't hurting service yet in on County, but without a

>boost in employment numbers it will.

> " Our call for service response times may go up, so we're trying to stay

>ahead of the curve, " Sneed of on County EMS said.

>Industry officials compare their situation to the nursing shortage. They

>say

>the nursing profession quickly got the attention of the public about the

>nursing shortage, so EMS workers are trying to do the same.

> " Paramedics, as an industry or a profession, have not done a good job of

>getting that word out, " Sneed said.

>As the population in Central Texas continues to grow, so does the need for

>experienced paramedics. Those who work in the field say the demand is

>becoming

>more visible.

> " Especially with the new roads that are opening there's just more people

>moving to this area, more construction, so there is going to be a higher

>need

>for paramedics, " paramedic said.

>EMS leaders in on County are advertising nationally for new hires

>and plan to open branches in Hutto and Cedar Park. The Cedar Park station

>will

>be first to open within a few months. The Hutto location will depend on how

>quickly they can staff it.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Please do not feed the trolls....

A. Dempsey

EMT-I

DHCS - UHS

Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas

county

>Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:42:25 -0800 (PST)

>

>This problem is not just in your area sad to say. It is a

nationwide

>problem. The nursing shortage has decreased, but there is of

course still

>a shortage in part due to the rising needs or wants of the

general aging

>and uneducated population. There seems to be the group of

people who are

>older and refuse to get treatment until the last minute. Then

there is the

>generally younger poulation who want treatment for a broken

fingernail.

>The pay went up and sign on bonuses came,and so did the nurses.

>

> IF and I do mean IF the pay and benefits ever went up for

>paramedics.....I think we might be able to start correcting the

shortage.

>Until then, the problem will remain.

>

> Steve Gann

>

>ExLngHrn@... <mailto:ExLngHrn%40aol.com> wrote:

> Critical EMS shortage in on County

>1/12/2007 5:42 PM

>By: Catie Beck

>A few minutes can mean the difference between life and death in

an

>emergency. And with a shortage of paramedics, time is crucial.

>Nationally, the number of paramedics entering the workforce is

dying down.

>EMS branches in Central Texas say they feel the pinch from the

shortage and

>are trying to do all they can before service is affected.

>The shortage isn't hurting service yet in on County,

but without a

>boost in employment numbers it will.

> " Our call for service response times may go up, so we're trying

to stay

>ahead of the curve, " Sneed of on County EMS said.

>Industry officials compare their situation to the nursing

shortage. They

>say

>the nursing profession quickly got the attention of the public

about the

>nursing shortage, so EMS workers are trying to do the same.

> " Paramedics, as an industry or a profession, have not done a

good job of

>getting that word out, " Sneed said.

>As the population in Central Texas continues to grow, so does

the need for

>experienced paramedics. Those who work in the field say the

demand is

>becoming

>more visible.

> " Especially with the new roads that are opening there's just

more people

>moving to this area, more construction, so there is going to be

a higher

>need

>for paramedics, " paramedic said.

>EMS leaders in on County are advertising nationally for

new hires

>and plan to open branches in Hutto and Cedar Park. The Cedar

Park station

>will

>be first to open within a few months. The Hutto location will

depend on how

>quickly they can staff it.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ahh yes and now the reasons we will NEVER be unified and perpetually have these

problems arise. There can be no comparison to someone at Mc's. They did

not have to go through years (in some cases) of training to ask if you want a

hot apple pie with that. They do not have to maintain ce credits for their

wonderful skills either. Nor do they lay in their beds for 5 minutes just to go

on the next call. No, the comparison was(for those who weren't paying

attention)between nurse shortages and paramedic shortages. Does a nurse not get

paid the same when he/she is holding a chair down? Er's in some places are not

slammed 100% of the time. If you are at work, you should be compensated for it.

In our case, we may not be busy at one time or another. However,we are still at

work and maybe called to duty at any time. Furthermore we may not get back to

rest the entire night.

Someone with the covers over their eyes and trying to justify their low pay

would say they're making $21+hr for 8 hours. The rest of us I HOPE realize

there is an injustice here for medics. Ok I'm done.....for now.

Steve Gann

Dempsey wrote:

Please do not feed the trolls....

A. Dempsey

EMT-I

DHCS - UHS

Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas

county

>Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:42:25 -0800 (PST)

>

>This problem is not just in your area sad to say. It is a

nationwide

>problem. The nursing shortage has decreased, but there is of

course still

>a shortage in part due to the rising needs or wants of the

general aging

>and uneducated population. There seems to be the group of

people who are

>older and refuse to get treatment until the last minute. Then

there is the

>generally younger poulation who want treatment for a broken

fingernail.

>The pay went up and sign on bonuses came,and so did the nurses.

>

> IF and I do mean IF the pay and benefits ever went up for

>paramedics.....I think we might be able to start correcting the

shortage.

>Until then, the problem will remain.

>

> Steve Gann

>

>ExLngHrn@... <mailto:ExLngHrn%40aol.com> wrote:

> Critical EMS shortage in on County

>1/12/2007 5:42 PM

>By: Catie Beck

>A few minutes can mean the difference between life and death in

an

>emergency. And with a shortage of paramedics, time is crucial.

>Nationally, the number of paramedics entering the workforce is

dying down.

>EMS branches in Central Texas say they feel the pinch from the

shortage and

>are trying to do all they can before service is affected.

>The shortage isn't hurting service yet in on County,

but without a

>boost in employment numbers it will.

> " Our call for service response times may go up, so we're trying

to stay

>ahead of the curve, " Sneed of on County EMS said.

>Industry officials compare their situation to the nursing

shortage. They

>say

>the nursing profession quickly got the attention of the public

about the

>nursing shortage, so EMS workers are trying to do the same.

> " Paramedics, as an industry or a profession, have not done a

good job of

>getting that word out, " Sneed said.

>As the population in Central Texas continues to grow, so does

the need for

>experienced paramedics. Those who work in the field say the

demand is

>becoming

>more visible.

> " Especially with the new roads that are opening there's just

more people

>moving to this area, more construction, so there is going to be

a higher

>need

>for paramedics, " paramedic said.

>EMS leaders in on County are advertising nationally for

new hires

>and plan to open branches in Hutto and Cedar Park. The Cedar

Park station

>will

>be first to open within a few months. The Hutto location will

depend on how

>quickly they can staff it.

>

>

[Guest guest]

As I see the shortage for medics, being a new medic myself is a lot of people

take the course but never grow the balls to go and take the test. Most of it is

that they do not pass the first time and they get it in their head that they

won't pass and do not take it again. Also, as in my case I see companies hiring

all over but yet all they want is someone with years of experience. That puts

us that actually DO pass the NR in a bad posistion as we are just out of school

and haven't had the experience most services want. I see that they should take

in the new people and actually put forth the effort to teach the new, out of

shcool medics just how that service wants them to work for that particular

service. We are sitting out here letting what we have just learned slip away

because no one wants to hire a green medic they want someone with experience.

As for the pay I have never even heard of someone making $21 to $45 an hour. I

sit at around $11 as most medics I have

ever been around. I would like to see the pay increase for medics as therefore

it might give those that have yet to pass the NR actually suceed.

EMT-P

Love Always,

R. EMT-P

LifeCare Plus EMS

---------------------------------

It's here! Your new message!

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[Guest guest]

,

I would rather hire a green medic, that has just received their paramedic

license. The hardest thing in the world to do, is get rid of bad habits and

laziness. If you start out green in our system, we can get the best right

away.

We do pay $13/hr, but that still is below the level that my paramedics

should be earning.

By the way, congratulations on a new set of balls.

Andy

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

It's good to hear how some of the young EMS professionals feel about the

profession we speak of so passionately. I hope you will have a very rewarding

career in EMS and I hope those who employee you will help you develop your

skills and knowledge base. EMS needs young energetic professionals like you.

Good luck and be safe out there,

Maxie

[Guest guest]

I never thought I would see the day this list resorted to ethnic strife.

Andy wants to hire only Irish medics when there are many ish, Danish,

and Croatian medics out there.

_____

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On

Behalf Of rachfoote@...

Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 10:47 PM

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas county

,

I would rather hire a green medic, that has just received their paramedic

license. The hardest thing in the world to do, is get rid of bad habits and

laziness. If you start out green in our system, we can get the best right

away.

We do pay $13/hr, but that still is below the level that my paramedics

should be earning.

By the way, congratulations on a new set of balls.

Andy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/16/2007 11:57:40 AM Central Standard Time,

rachfoote@... writes:

I am short green medics and we do have a quota. The Irish medics left

because there were no kilt protocols and the Danish eat rolls all day and so

far no

Croatians have applied. Please forward their email addresses and I will

follow on my end.

Andy Foote

what, no Greeks?

ck

S. Krin, DO FAAFP

[Guest guest]

Dr. Bledsoe,

Congratulations! You have succeeded in causing me to laugh so hard

that coffee is coming out of my nose. :-)

-Alfonso R. Ochoa

>

> I never thought I would see the day this list resorted to ethnic strife.

> Andy wants to hire only Irish medics when there are many ish,

Danish,

> and Croatian medics out there.

>

>

>

> _____

>

> From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On

> Behalf Of rachfoote@...

> Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 10:47 PM

> To: texasems-l

> Subject: Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas county

>

>

>

> ,

>

> I would rather hire a green medic, that has just received their

paramedic

> license. The hardest thing in the world to do, is get rid of bad

habits and

> laziness. If you start out green in our system, we can get the best

right

> away.

>

> We do pay $13/hr, but that still is below the level that my paramedics

> should be earning.

>

> By the way, congratulations on a new set of balls.

>

> Andy

>

>

[Guest guest]

Now that was baaaaaaahhhhh-d. Go to your room, Andy.

G

>

> No, but I could use a few Greeks. You know they always want to be in the

> back. We would just need a driver then.

>

> Andy Foote

>

>

> Re: Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas county

>

> In a message dated 1/16/2007 11:57:40 AM Central Standard Time,

> rachfoote@... writes:

>

> I am short green medics and we do have a quota. The Irish medics left

> because there were no kilt protocols and the Danish eat rolls all day and so

> far no

> Croatians have applied. Please forward their email addresses and I will

> follow on my end.

>

> Andy Foote

>

> what, no Greeks?

>

> ck

> S. Krin, DO FAAFP

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am short green medics and we do have a quota. The Irish medics left because

there were no kilt protocols and the Danish eat rolls all day and so far no

Croatians have applied. Please forward their email addresses and I will follow

on my end.

Andy Foote

Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas county

>

>

>

> ,

>

> I would rather hire a green medic, that has just received their

paramedic

> license. The hardest thing in the world to do, is get rid of bad

habits and

> laziness. If you start out green in our system, we can get the best

right

> away.

>

> We do pay $13/hr, but that still is below the level that my paramedics

> should be earning.

>

> By the way, congratulations on a new set of balls.

>

> Andy

>

>

[Guest guest]

Andy bewares of Greeks bearing gifts. <GRIN>

-Wes

Re: Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas county

In a message dated 1/16/2007 11:57:40 AM Central Standard Time,

rachfoote@... writes:

I am short green medics and we do have a quota. The Irish medics left

because there were no kilt protocols and the Danish eat rolls all day and so far

no

Croatians have applied. Please forward their email addresses and I will

follow on my end.

Andy Foote

what, no Greeks?

ck

S. Krin, DO FAAFP

[Guest guest]

No, but I could use a few Greeks. You know they always want to be in the back.

We would just need a driver then.

Andy Foote

Re: Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas county

In a message dated 1/16/2007 11:57:40 AM Central Standard Time,

rachfoote@... writes:

I am short green medics and we do have a quota. The Irish medics left

because there were no kilt protocols and the Danish eat rolls all day and so

far no

Croatians have applied. Please forward their email addresses and I will

follow on my end.

Andy Foote

what, no Greeks?

ck

S. Krin, DO FAAFP

[Guest guest]

Hey Im Irish... strange, having hard time finding good job... lol

Re: Paramedic shortage affecting Texas

county

,

I would rather hire a green medic, that has just received their

paramedic

license. The hardest thing in the world to do, is get rid of bad

habits and

laziness. If you start out green in our system, we can get the

best right

away.

We do pay $13/hr, but that still is below the level that my

paramedics

should be earning.

By the way, congratulations on a new set of balls.

Andy