Would you make management aware? I'm the brand new guy so I didn't want to cause issues with new employees but... A partner I was with I noticed was texting while driving to the hospital with a pediatric pt in the back. I was in the passenger seat so I'm well aware and am not mistaken. Also rode with someone who smoked in the ambulance, which I know the company doesn't allow but again I didn't say anything being the new guy. These two things I highly don't agree with. For one texting and driving everyone knows what happens and smoking IN your ambulance? Knowing we are going to have patients in there? Should I make management aware or let it go?
If your partner was texting and driving and smoking in the ambulance....
- Thread starter Tk11
- Start date
redundantbassist
Nefarious Dude
- 638
- 430
- 63
YES you should make management aware... he endangered himself, you, and the patient.
squirrel15
Forum Captain
- 299
- 144
- 43
Would you please share where you work... It seems to be one thing after another
MS Medic
Forum Captain
- 323
- 44
- 28
There does seem to be this string of problems, doesn't there?
Is this guy the FTO you had issues with?
CALEMT
The Other Guy/ Paramaybe?
- 4,543
- 3,372
- 113
Yes it is.
Im curious, not trying to be a d**k but why is it everytime you seem to have a problem with something/someone at your company you feel the need to ask advice? It seems to be one thing after another.
To me this is common sense, smoking in the ambulance I have 0 tolerance for. If you smoke outside the ambulance I could care less. Texting and driving I don't do it myself at work but if someone I'm working with does I just say hey man do you mind not doing that? 99.9% of the time I'm the one driving (EMT/Medic) but that .01% the medic drives and I see it happen I just let them know I don't feel comfortable them behind the wheel while distracted on the phone. If I can wait till post to reply to text messages then so can you.
This is something I do not understand - how can you be partnered with someone and yet ride shotgun with a pt in the back (a pedi pt nonetheless) ?
Jim37F
Forum Deputy Chief
- 4,347
- 2,944
- 113
The only way that makes sense to me is a NICU transfer. At my first company, we would do those, pick up the infant in an isolette with a NICU team of 3-4 nurses. My job as attendant was help load equipment, make sure the team was comfortable, and do the run form. Even with the mod there wasn't enough room for the EMT in the back so you'd just ride shotgun and let the NICU team manage the patient.
MS Medic
Forum Captain
- 323
- 44
- 28
Tk11, I'm going to give you some free advice so its worth what you paid for it. This is a job that will cause you to question and compromise what you originally considered your ethics and values. The only way to deal with the things in this job is to very quickly grow some thick skin and not stress about a lot of what you see and deal with.
Over the past couple of weeks, you've made a string of threads where you seem to be having one problem after another. Learn to let this stuff go. If you don't find that possible, consider doing something else. In a lot of places, your EMT cert will qualify you for a job as an ER tech.
If you don't do one or the other, in about 6 months to a year, you will find yourself a very angry and vitriolic person who is completely miserable with your job.
Over the past couple of weeks, you've made a string of threads where you seem to be having one problem after another. Learn to let this stuff go. If you don't find that possible, consider doing something else. In a lot of places, your EMT cert will qualify you for a job as an ER tech.
If you don't do one or the other, in about 6 months to a year, you will find yourself a very angry and vitriolic person who is completely miserable with your job.
CALEMT
The Other Guy/ Paramaybe?
- 4,543
- 3,372
- 113
We were corrupted a long time ago (well me at least when I was a explorer). I'd take MS Medic's advice.
squirrel15
Forum Captain
- 299
- 144
- 43
@MS Medic, I learned a new word today, vitriolic, I like it, thanks.
MrJones
Iconoclast
- 652
- 168
- 43
EMSComeLately
Forum Crew Member
- 85
- 21
- 8
I'd first go with the passive approach and mention how cigarette smoke really bothers my allergies (or something) as well as dropping an anecdotal story about "some guy I heard about got sued for a billion dollars while texting and driving an ambulance". See what that gets you.
If it was someone on the service I knew to have some mutual respect with, I'd go with the direct approach using "Dude" and appropriate inflection to get the point across. Like, "Duuuuude...really?"
As a last resort, I'd let management know. We're a hospital based EMS and do monthly "rounding" to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly. I wouldn't drop names, though. Just let management know so they might send out some reminder e-mails to the staff about safe operation of vehicles and any smoking related policies.
If it was someone on the service I knew to have some mutual respect with, I'd go with the direct approach using "Dude" and appropriate inflection to get the point across. Like, "Duuuuude...really?"
As a last resort, I'd let management know. We're a hospital based EMS and do monthly "rounding" to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly. I wouldn't drop names, though. Just let management know so they might send out some reminder e-mails to the staff about safe operation of vehicles and any smoking related policies.
Or just say you are not allowed to smoke in an ambulance due to combustible gases. Because, well you're not allowed too. If you can't figure this crap out on your own tk11 I can only imagine how your calls go with you in charge.
- 7,881
- 2,846
- 113
Act like an adult and do what you think is right. You don't need a consult to be an adult. Tell the person to stop. If they don't, go to management. Or find a new job. This has nothing to do with EMS and everything to do with making "tough-but part of life" choices. The internet is not going to help you.
- 6,371
- 823
- 113
But if you have questions or need advice, please feel free to post here as that's what this site was designed for.
- 7,881
- 2,846
- 113
Sure. But we can't help you find the inner strength to be an adult when that's what is required. The OP knows what he needs to do.But if you have questions or need advice, please feel free to post here as that's what this site was designed for.
Rano Pano
Forum Lieutenant
- 240
- 89
- 28
I am surprised how many people responded to this post. No one else think this guy is trolling?
- 2,735
- 1,272
- 113
Nah, I don't see it. These questions seem legitimate enough for a new person.
medicaltransient
Forum Lieutenant
- 162
- 32
- 28
I would tell the guy first and give him at least one chance to act more professionally. Then I would talk to the person next in the chain of command.
irishboxer384
Forum Captain
- 389
- 196
- 43
Grow a pair of balls and speak up or you'll get walked over your whole life.