For All You EMS Types…

What?! Where? A little linky, please?

http://www.ems1.com/ems-products/consulting-management/articles/401728-Top-Ten-Signs-Its-EMS-Weekthere ya go y’all

http://www.ems1.com/ems-products/consulting-management/articles/401728-Top-Ten-Signs-Its-EMS-Weekthere ya go y’all

I work in Florida, where FF’s are at least EMT-B’s in most areas of the state. Many departments require a FF to be a medic in order to be promoted.When fire and EMS departments were split, they made much less money. The more skills an employee brings to the table, the more they are worth. In my department, where fire and EMS have been merged for over 20 years, medics are still treated badly. No one likes getting up for the 4th call after midnight for toe pain, so they blame the medics.

I work in Florida, where FF’s are at least EMT-B’s in most areas of the state. Many departments require a FF to be a medic in order to be promoted.When fire and EMS departments were split, they made much less money. The more skills an employee brings to the table, the more they are worth. In my department, where fire and EMS have been merged for over 20 years, medics are still treated badly. No one likes getting up for the 4th call after midnight for toe pain, so they blame the medics.

I have a slightly different perspective to this. I am a fire EMT wife and mom. We have been part of a couple of different systems. We began in a combined EMS/fire system which was also a sucessful vol/paid combo system(PGFD). We are now in a completely seperated wholely volly system. The way I see it is a big part of the problem stems from one thing, MONEY. The fact that EMS runs are chargable and fire runs are not. This leads to external forces pitting the two against each other. Which then leads to the chiefs feeling pitted against each other etc etc.

I have a slightly different perspective to this. I am a fire EMT wife and mom. We have been part of a couple of different systems. We began in a combined EMS/fire system which was also a sucessful vol/paid combo system(PGFD). We are now in a completely seperated wholely volly system. The way I see it is a big part of the problem stems from one thing, MONEY. The fact that EMS runs are chargable and fire runs are not. This leads to external forces pitting the two against each other. Which then leads to the chiefs feeling pitted against each other etc etc.

We have to consider the fact that fire fighting and emergency medical care require different aptitudes, and so, attract different folks. There is self-selection by personality, and that is a good thing. However, the qualities of personality that makes one a good fire fighter, might not make the same person a good medic, and vice versa. Citizens are probably best served when people are allowed to pursue their interests and capabilities, even though that is less efficient. Efficiency is desirable, but the best way to save a life might not be the most efficient. Life saving trumps efficiency.

We have to consider the fact that fire fighting and emergency medical care require different aptitudes, and so, attract different folks. There is self-selection by personality, and that is a good thing. However, the qualities of personality that makes one a good fire fighter, might not make the same person a good medic, and vice versa. Citizens are probably best served when people are allowed to pursue their interests and capabilities, even though that is less efficient. Efficiency is desirable, but the best way to save a life might not be the most efficient. Life saving trumps efficiency.