Thank you everyone for all comments thus far.
I will add a few tidbits.
In NYC, even paid EMTs are in a vollie, it is part social, part networking, and especially for IFT EMTs, a way to get trauma and critical medical experience.
Yes, I should not worry what others think, but there is this wierd thing I notice about human nature, which should not be discussed all the time, but since we are semi-anonymous I will go ahead.
Within groups of people, there is always one person spoken bad of. People will chime in to avoid being that person. I was never able to do that......
But anyway, where I vollie now, they always discuss critically whoever just left the room.
Thinking aloud, they should not be too peeved because:
1) I paid for my own EMT course, rather than join to get them to.
2) They did not buy me any uniforms or equipment. They actually do not for anyone. They have bunker gear but members buy their own pants and pay the service for a polo shirt.
3) Other people have gone, since I joined just three weeks ago...
4) These people may leave themselves in a year or so, I googled old newpaper articles, not so old, 2006, 2007 2008, and I never see or here of any names mentioned.
WHAT I AM DOING IS:
1) Listening to everyone. Being friendly to everyone. Staying out of gossip or derogatory remarks.
2) Always willing to clean up, do paperwork, check out bus (I need experience anyway), I carry the bag(s), in general pitch in without complaint or comment (unlike some of them...)
I am just very sensitive to this issue.
I had an LEO job, which many people left for a better one, and I was applying for other ones, and the whole time people made comments..."just make your career here...yadda yadda....
Before that a private industry job, and the boss took it personal all my LEO applications, despite I took the job seriously and did my assignments, I just did not want to be a 'lifer'...he had people leave to competitors, and come back, and leave again...with no bad feelings, but he pestered me about my applications for an LEO job, which would not compete with his buisness.
I realize there is no easy answers, yet, I am happy to hear everyone's thoughts.