That news article was written for one thing, shock value. Please take things into consideration before you go and paint all field personnel with a corrupt brush.
I never said everyone is corrupt.
And you don't understand the purpose of the article? Do you realize how hard some states have worked to get appropriate legislation passed only to have a road block thrown in by some who only think the purpose of increased measures to protect both the public and provider is interpreted as "picking on them"?
I think CA is the best example that it is now responding with increased measures to insure people with extensive criminal backgrounds are not in the back of an ambulance. The media helped with that and some their articles were from tips from EMT(P)s who were tired of covering for co-workers with known pasts and legislative issues that left them with few alternatives. Yet, even with facts published, many claimed the media was only "bashing" EMS. The media and professionals involved in EMS just wanted to make a change. Unless there was some sort of shock value, the issues would continue to be swept under the rug and a blind eye would be turned on any problem employees and their actions. Even when a violation, criminal or patient care, was noted it was rare action was taken.
You need to be more aware of your own state's issues to see just how many complaints they do handle a day and how the process does weed out the bogus ones to protect the provider while still maintaining a relative safe environment for the patient. Making your own broad statements with little understanding about various laws and legislation is naive at best.
I didn't know there was anywhere that didn't background check their EMTs/Medics. I had to pay for a VECHs back ground check to even get in EMT school. Even so, that only works if they had done it before.
Disagree. Again, you need to understand your state's reporting system. Criminal arrests can to be reported if you are a licensed professional. In Florida, Baker Acts can also be reported and yes, some professionals will have their license suspended or revoked for having a "bad day".
Also remember a sex crime could be as little as a 19 year old boy having consensual sex with a 16 year old girl, a coworker making a dirty joke to another, highly sensitive coworker that reports them for sexual harrassment, or being caught urinating behind a tree
Do you realize how many of these complaints don't make headlines or they are dismissed if there is a formal complaint with the Board? If companies and responsible employees demonstrated some professionalism, these complaints would not have a chance to originate. These situations still should not be in a professional work environment and those that do accept it or look the other way are doing very little to promote professionalism. We then get headlines to shock. But, instead of waking up EMS providers to what is going on in their own backyard and to make some changes or be more aware, it gives some in EMS opportunity to again whine they are so misunderstood and picked on.
Professionalism is everyone's responsibility. Understand your own state's regulations and how complaints are reported, investigated and disciplinary processes. And, remember before making you own blanket statements, realize there are 50 states with 50 different ways of doing things. CA also increases that number since they have the county way of doing things.
