Not sounding like a broken record....just one of those typical "pompus" medics that we have to deal with here in Jersey. Last i checked the "vollie" EMT's do play a vital role in some communities...especially where the paid companies won't go because they can't make a buck. I just hope that when you have a sick person in your family one day...maybe a mother, father, child, whatever....they will still feel it "convenient" to come help them especially after reading your post.
I was asked recently at an interview for medic school why I like and dislike certain medics. That "I'm better than you" pompus attitude that you are showing there is one thing I said I can't stand that some (not all) medics have. Hope I don't sound like you one day...or it will be a really sad day.
Can you really back up what you say? Or is it just the usual B.S. I hear from New Jersey. Seriously, in the year of nearly two thousand and nine the one and
only state that still endorses first aid over medical care. Can I take anything seriously from that state in regards to emergency care?
Vollies only play a role where it is the
only option available and although I have never visited nor would I ever plan to (due to the potential dangers of EMS or lack of) I really doubt that the state has the lack of population or area where professional EMS could not be provided. If
that is the case, then I stand corrected or endorse the volunteerism in those
specific areas. With that statement, just because one is a volunteer they should be equal or greater trained.
It is a documented fact that vollies has been detrimental to the growth of EMS and the education related to patient needs. Such as the Montana studies, and rural studies of the early 90's and the reevaluation of the EMT curriculum in which the material was "dumbed" down. Medical terminology was almost totally eliminated, emphasis of being friendly and that everyone should pass was placed into institutions. As well it was the associations of such as those in New Jersey that protested increasing medical knowledge and training. Thus in realility reducing the care and needed treatment to the sick and ill... feel proud of yourselves now?
In the real world of medicine, not hobbies, looking cool, or even feeling good about oneself with self centered ego's; people need competent and advanced medical care. There is little that placing band-aids, slapping some oxygen or kissing boo-boo's does for the truly ill and severely injured patient. I ask what is the outcome of your patient that has vomited and now aspirated, ever heard of chemical aspiration and do you know the outcomes? How many brain cells died as you were awaiting an advanced life support to give IV glucose? Was the Cath lab or receiving hospital awaiting and prepared for the right sided myocardial infarction? How did the mother fair that was having eclamptic seizures and the meconium stained neonate?
Still like to argue the need of having someone do it for fun or "for the good of the community" or one that has dedicated their life to studying and performing it? What is
shameful is I have been providing ALS care to poor communities as a EMS paid professional for over thirty one years, so I know it can be done. I don't care to hear excuses for that is what it is! If those that are so "concerned" was really and truly concerned they would be finding funding, legislate to fund advanced and professional services, instead of volunteering as an EMT. Otherwise they are doing it for their own ego's.
Your community supports law enforcement, dog catcher? Then it can support an EMS. Has your community thought of district EMS and conjunction with other EMS so everyone can prosper or is it alike so many others that "want their own" or nothing at all?
Again, it is
NOT all volunteers, alike it is
NOT all firefighters that give their groups a bad name, unfortunately it is the majority and usually those that attempt to acclaim to represent their groups.
R/r 911
