One thing to improve EMS

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kecpercussion

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IF you could improve one thing about EMS it would be....???
 
The lack of a standardized education system requiring more background courses such as college level A&P I and II, gen chem, o chem, microbiology, cell biology, psych, comm, etc. beforehand, and making getting the degree mandatory.
 
EMS needs to have pay, benefits, working conditions, reitrement, job security, career development (unbiased job related exams to promote objectively rather than favoritism), and such to be on par with that of large FD's such as FDNY, Fairfax, LA, Phoenix, etc. Who wants to run an excessive call volume every day in a crappy work environment for 25-30 years with crappy pay and retirement? Most of us got into the business to help others, but this IS how we pay the bills. It's not selfish to demand a livable wage so that you don't need to work three jobs to get by.

I didn't mention education, as I'm sure the education Nazis will chime in about medic mills, 2 and 4 year degrees, shortcuts, so on and so on.
 
All EMS paid, third service, and privatized with decent pay, benefits, retirement, and allowances on par with other medical professions.
 
You know, you can cry for better pay all you'd like, but you will NEVER achieve it without higher educational standards. Why should a hobby be compensated well? Why would anyone take EMS seriously as a profession when you can be an EMT in as little as two weeks?

You can't get out what you don't put in. You put in little time, you get little money.
 
Sasha said:
You know, you can cry for better pay all you'd like, but you will NEVER achieve it without higher educational standards. Why should a hobby be compensated well? Why would anyone take EMS seriously as a profession when you can be an EMT in as little as two weeks?

You can't get out what you don't put in. You put in little time, you get little money.
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He said only one thing. Adding higher educational standards to the mix would have created two things. So my one thing is the one thing I would like to see happen. The other thing, higher educational standards, is something that would directly cause the main thing. So I named the main thing, hoping everybody would use their sense of rationality to figure out how I wanted it achieved and not use it as an excuse to tell me what I already know, thus not violating the terms of the thread's objective and accomplishing the goal of expressing my viewpoint. I guess we live and learn.
 
EMTinNEPA said:
All EMS paid, third service, and privatized with decent pay, benefits, retirement, and allowances on par with other medical professions.
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If EMS is 100% privatized, good luck landing a job with a pension. Good luck getting decent pay, benefits, defined benefits instead of defined contribution, allowances, and upstaffing to alleviate constant call volume (high call volume IS desireable if your workday is 16 hours or less, max), if there is no union or similarly strong political organization to make that happen.

You need to see past the here and now, and look to your future after retirement. One shouldn't have to work two jobs or more to survive, and still have little to nothing post retirement. Despite our disagreements, please absorb this one piece of advice - it's all about the best retirement. I can't stress that enough. I'm not talking about fire based, but find a place that will give you similar benefits. There aren't many, but they do exist. You could even do FDNY EMS. The pay isn't great, but there's a 50% pension after 25 years, this is calculated by your average compensation INCLUDING OT for the highest three years. Longevity stepr of 5 grand every 5 years if I remember correctly. No residency requirement.
 
46Young said:
If EMS is 100% privatized, good luck landing a job with a pension. Good luck getting decent pay, benefits, defined benefits instead of defined contribution, allowances, and upstaffing to alleviate constant call volume (high call volume IS desireable if your workday is 16 hours or less, max), if there is no union or similarly strong political organization to make that happen.

You need to see past the here and now, and look to your future after retirement. One shouldn't have to work two jobs or more to survive, and still have little to nothing post retirement. Despite our disagreements, please absorb this one piece of advice - it's all about the best retirement. I can't stress that enough. I'm not talking about fire based, but find a place that will give you similar benefits. There aren't many, but they do exist. You could even do FDNY EMS. The pay isn't great, but there's a 50% pension after 25 years, this is calculated by your average compensation INCLUDING OT for the highest three years. Longevity stepr of 5 grand every 5 years if I remember correctly. No residency requirement.
Click to expand...

Good luck getting a job with a decent retirement now! And I'm not talking about fire-based either. And I don't care if I was making six figures, I would never work for FDNY EMS.
 
One thing to improve EMS? Accountability.

Screening of applicants within EMS and entering those programs. Applicants would be based alike all other of those entering a health care profession. General education and other requirements would be required before entering into an EMS program.

Programs should be monitored alike other health programs and those applicants that enter the program graduate 70% and have at least a 70% pass rate on National Cert and license testing. As well, increase the minimum standard to an associate degree level.

Instructor and Educator levels need to be monitored as well. EMT courses should be only taught by licensed personal at or above that level that has completed a rigorous adult education course and obtained a associate degree (in EMS) with the understanding of obtaining a undergrad degree within a period of time. Paramedic level educators should have at the least the minimum of a baccalaureate again with completion of a graduate degree in a short period of time.

EMS Administrators should impose upon the industry requirements of having the minumum of a graduate level of healthcare administration or MBA equivelancy. Knowldge about management within the system. It is essential to have a thorough knowledge and working of billing, healthcare standards, managing personnel.

All EMS services should be required to be monitored alike hospitals that have JCAHO. Accountability in materials, equipment, education, documentation, improvement of standards and quality of care. If unable to maintain recommendation to the local or state license agency of removing them from being in service. This would include private to municipalities including Fire Services.

When and if those services are accountable we will see a change within EMS. When and if we accomplish these then we will be deserving obtaining what the rest of the professions receive.

R/r 911
 
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I keep seeing the issue of doing away with volunteer agencies or regulating them to such a degree that the few who are willing to give their time will no longer be interested. I would like to know who will respond to those in need that have always relied on their volunteer agencies. You must all live in an urban setting or at least in an area that can muster together enough folks willing to serve. I don't so I wish you would stop beating the drum until you can give up some answers. My family and millions of others would like to keep what we have, it may not be what you find tolerable or professional but for many its all we have. I have explained before that we have a 30 minute ALS response time but our volunteers can be on scene in 5 minutes and like it or not can run a call as well as any paid agency.

I know you all have high hopes for the future of EMS I share your vision but you cannot subject innocent people to changes that could affect their well being until you have an alternative plan. You have no idea what harm you could bring if you start putting the small town volunteers out of business. I don't want to hear "you can find the funding to staff a crew to meet your needs" because I'm telling you its not going to happen.

I must be the only volunteer with a small agency that is willing to stand up and say if it aint broke dont fix it. I know changes are needed but maybe start with your local agency before you start screwing with mine. Agencies like mine like doing what we have always done, helping our community and making a difference where needed. You may be surprised to know that we actually have oversight and accountability and many volunteers who give their time to take the training and pass the tests so they can help when needed. I dont know about getting "warm and fuzzies" that sounds kind of well lame but the rewards of knowing you were there when needed is pretty cool. If my family calls 911 for help I dont care if the first responder shows up on a tricked out John Deere riding mower with a flashing green light, towing his gear in a wagon, if he does his job and makes a difference is that not the objective. In closing I would like to say I think there are some really bright future prospects that come here for our help and I apologise to them for kicking up dust but some of you are so far off the reservation its pathetic.
 
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