I have to say these threads referring to the negativity regarding Non-Emergency EMT providers is really disheartening. I've been an EMT and in EMS for 25 years. My time has been spent in 911, Hospital ER, Non-Emergency, as well as Management. Now I'm far from naive and yes several private for profit EMS companies in my state and area have been busted by the Feds and many are pretty shady and cut corners. I also know this, in my company I have a diverse group. Several 911, several non-EMTs, and several less experienced EMTs. Our trucks are licensed by the state and inspected every 3 years just like 911 services. My providers do assessments and vitals (cause I know if anything happened to a patient in my teams care and they have to go to the ER the first thing the nurse or doctors going to ask is "What happened just prior? And "What were they're vitals?") on every Patient and complete state EPCRs just like 911 services. In our area the amount of "True emergencies" equals maybe 5%. This mean 50% are lights and siren to scene and out of that 50% 10% is a lights and siren to a medic rendezvous. Then out of the 10 of those maybe 2% are lights and siren to the hospital. The other 45% are no lights no siren to scene and to the hospital. ISNT THAT THE SAME AS A NON-EMERGENCY TRANSPORT? The only real difference is we know when are calls are. We also do events that can have serious injuries such as auto racing, equine events, football games and other events. Our company welcomes new EMTs... Why? So they can learn and hone their skills taking vital signs, patient assessments, communication skills... In a non rushed, non critical time so when they have to rush they know what they're doing. EMTs who call us losers, not real EMTs, or scum need to realize we took the same test, work on the same licensed BLS units, follow the same protocols, use the same EPCR programs, and are there for the same reason... THAT PERSON WHO NEEDS CARE!!!! At least that's why I get up every day and that what I teach my team members.... Thank you for listening... Sorry to vent.