Fish, you're my pal, but TBH I very much considered myself a "real EMT" from my LA days, and all. Thing is, most of them weren't ideal medics in my mind.
With that, I think the best way to put it is something to the effect of, you can learn to be a "real" EMT or paramedic anywhere. You can also learn how not to be one--also--anywhere.
Bottom line? If you want to be involved in an EMS system that focuses on EMS as seen in the book, it's best to do your homework and find this sort of system.
I learned a lot of bad habits in the beginning, but also excellent fundamentals. So the system itself is less pertinent if the provider in question is truly interested in learning how to perform the limited tasks that we routinely perform in the field. No one person, system, school or protocol book can teach you so.
EMS is--like it, or not---part public safety, but also largely part medicine, and healthcare. The problems we encounter often stem from the fact that 'reaper racers' misread the "M" in the acronym to solely pertain, and intervene with the "E" in it.
However, the medicine aspect, like all medicine calls for an intrinsic thirst for eternal knowledge. This here, is the mark of being a "real" EMS practicioner in spite of the level, or system...not the system itself.
