Opinion on Age

[usafmedic45]

True, but the same can be said about a lot of EMTs and paramedics over the age of 18.

Not to mention that most states don't allow ambulances to "disregard" traffic lights, speed limits, etc. In every state I have worked in, if you crash, you're still guilty of the pertinent offenses because the "exemptions" to traffic laws allowed for emergency vehicles come with a caveat to the effect "with due regard for the safety of the vehicle, its occupants and other persons exposed to the vehicle." Basically, as long as nothing goes wrong, you're OK. If it does, you're going to have some "'splainin' to do".

 

[medicRob]

Not to mention that most states don't allow ambulances to "disregard" traffic lights, speed limits, etc. In every state I have worked in, if you crash, you're still guilty of the pertinent offenses because the "exemptions" to traffic laws allowed for emergency vehicles come with a caveat to the effect "with due regard for the safety of the vehicle, its occupants and other persons exposed to the vehicle." Basically, as long as nothing goes wrong, you're OK. If it does, you're going to have some "'splainin' to do".

We are allowed in certain situations to disregard certain traffic laws, but I am so paranoid of other drivers anyways (There are a lot of idiots out there in plain vehicles that disregard traffic laws), that I will stop at red lights, look both ways (I do not trust mirrors when driving). Contrary to popular belief, if a patient's condition is so severe that 60 seconds at a red light is going to mean the difference between life and death, they are gone.. because definitive care of the trauma patient is usually surgery, and there is no surgeon in the back of that ambulance that can perform surgery on the way.

 

[JPINFV]

^
Then again, that's why I drive with the understanding that physcs doesn't care about who has the right of way. I'd rather not be in an accident at all then be the non-fault party of an accident.

 

[Seaglass]

If they CAN'T drive, it's beyond me how you can operate a crew with one driver, dedicating the 16 year old to patient care regardless of the nature of the call.

I'm not finding information on whether they typically respond with crews of two. Maybe they run with more?

Anyways, to be a BLS crew in some places, you only need one trained driver and one trained EMT. You can have an EMT who can't drive, and a driver who's just a first responder, and still be legal.

I assume it must be legal for 16-year-olds to be sole care providers in CT, too.

 

[Hannah.911]

I became an EMT when I was 19 years old. (started school at 18.) I don't regret getting involved with EMS so young, but I do regret my attitude. Young EMT's need to remember that while we have a lot of the same education as our older coworkers, we have SO much less experience. And I'm not talking about EMS experience, I just mean life experience in general. We need to listen and learn as much as we can from our older counterparts, as long as we can. When I first got my NREMT cert and my GA EMT license, I thought that I was near equal with everyone else that wore my badge...That's a really bad attitude to have when the ink is still drying on your highschool diploma and your EMT card. I'm almost 22 now and I'm still learning everyday!

 

[usafmedic45]

You can have an EMT who can't drive, and a driver who's just a first responder, and still be legal.

Not in all states.

 

[Seaglass]

Not in all states.

Hence the "in some places" part of that sentence.

 

[Aidey]

I'll summarize. The Darien EMS service is comprised of adult volunteers who provide A-EMT level service when needed in QRS vehicles, young adult EMT-Bs who have been members of the service since 14 and certified as EMTs at 16, and paramedic response when needed from a nearby fire station.

All basic calls will have at least 1 experienced EMT on board, intermediate calls will have 2 EMTs and an A-EMT, and Paramedic level calls will have at least 2 EMTs, a Paramedic, and an A-EMT.

During school hours the adult volunteers staff the first response ambulance instead of their QRS vehicles, and if a second unit is needed the on call students are paged out from school to respond.

I'm sorry, but no. From the website:

The boys' room has five beds, stacked into bunks with madras sheet covers. The girls are housed on the opposite side of the building, where six polka-dot decorated bunks are clustered in a bedroom. The boys are not allowed in the girls' hallway, and the girls are not allowed in the boys' area.

If rules like this are necessary it makes me wonder if the group is really mature enough to be doing what they do.

A little more research also proves that this area is extremely affluent, with individual families donating ambulances recently. There is no reason that this area should not have full time 24/7 Paramedic service. As things are there right now apparently all Paramedic service is mutual aid from the next city over.

I'm going to stop here, so not to totally hijack the thread but yeah...

 

[cb3ofus]

I agree with you. I wish I had started when I was very young instead of 41. My brain worked alot better than it does now not to mention the old body. I believe if you work hard and show maturity you will be trusted. Just show them their perceptions of you are wrong.

 

[Seaglass]

If rules like this are necessary it makes me wonder if the group is really mature enough to be doing what they do.

I always wonder whether rules like that are more for the parents' comfort, or because there's actually been history that would warrant them.

 

[Bullets]

I always wonder whether rules like that are more for the parents' comfort, or because there's actually been history that would warrant them.

i agree, this seems for as a PR move then anything, and those that work overnights and staff buildings, your telling me that the 30 year olds dont get intimate with coworkers of the opposite sex at the places you worked? isnt the whole "there is no sex in EMS" kind of a big joke?

And as an additional point, i think what they have going on in Darien is a very neat idea and a great way to bring the right kind of people into a field that needs the kind of energy and drive that younger providers, with the guidance of experienced members, can bring.

 

[JPINFV]

i agree, this seems for as a PR move then anything, and those that work overnights and staff buildings, your telling me that the 30 year olds dont get intimate with coworkers of the opposite sex at the places you worked? isnt the whole "there is no sex in EMS" kind of a big joke?

Statutory rape.
Child endangerment.

 

[Bullets]

Statutory rape.
Child endangerment.

what?

 

[usafmedic45]

If rules like this are necessary it makes me wonder if the group is really mature enough to be doing what they do.

You know the military does exactly the same thing right? Speaking as one of the few people in our technical school that was allowed to violate that rule. I would like to take this chance to say thank you to whomever thought I was a good choice for the "chapel guide" and that letting me be responsible for "supporting the moral, mental, social and religious welfare of your fellow airmen" (to quote the letter of commendation I was given for my service) was a great idea.

isnt the whole "there is no sex in EMS" kind of a big joke?

Based on personal experience, I can attest that it's a huge joke with no basis in fact. Of course, in those cases, everyone was above the age of consent.

 

[JPINFV]

what?

Statutory rape: General term to describe the unlawful sexual intercourse where one or both parties are below the age of consent, and thus unable to be a legally consenting partner. Two 18 year olds going at it in an ambulance? Perfectly legal, if not against the rules of the company and disgusting. A 17 and a 15 year old? Welcome to PMITA prison.

Child endangerment: Adults allowing kids to undertake illegal activities (I guess contributing to the delinquency of a minor would be a better law than endangerment).

 

[Bullets]

Statutory rape: General term to describe the unlawful sexual intercourse where one or both parties are below the age of consent, and thus unable to be a legally consenting partner. Two 18 year olds going at it in an ambulance? Perfectly legal, if not against the rules of the company and disgusting. A 17 and a 15 year old? Welcome to PMITA prison.

Child endangerment: Adults allowing kids to undertake illegal activities (I guess contributing to the delinquency of a minor would be a better law than endangerment).

I am aware of what those laws are, I just think that anytime you put opposite sex in a building, working close together with lots of down time, the probability exists that people are going to knock boots. Its not the sole provinceof the young. Clearly the squad in Darien is doing something with their kids. The website stresses that these providers are young adults, and by treating them like they are adults they are more inclined to act in a responsible manner. I think its a great concept that seems to work for them

 

[JPINFV]

I'm not arguing that it's solely the province of the young, just that the equation for juveniles is more than slightly different because of those two issues.

 

[Aidey]

If rules like this are necessary it makes me wonder if the group is really mature enough to be doing what they do.

You know the military does exactly the same thing right? Speaking as one of the few people in our technical school that was allowed to violate that rule. I would like to take this chance to say thank you to whomever thought I was a good choice for the "chapel guide" and that letting me be responsible for "supporting the moral, mental, social and religious welfare of your fellow airmen" (to quote the letter of commendation I was given for my service) was a great idea.

One could also argue that many members of the military are not mature enough to be doing what they do, and are essentially forced into maturity by necessity. Although the level of maturity achieved is debatable when you have soldiers taking fingers as trophies, along with a number of other highly questionable behaviors.

And as an additional point, i think what they have going on in Darien is a very neat idea and a great way to bring the right kind of people into a field that needs the kind of energy and drive that younger providers, with the guidance of experienced members, can bring.

Ok, I'll say it. I think it is a great way for a bunch of very rich people to indulge their kids. Look up Darien, CT, it is a very wealthy area that could more than afford a full Paramedic ambulance service. The more I looked into it the more the whole thing came off as something to give privileged kids a unique activity to make themselves look good on their college applications. Frankly, stuff like this just undermines EMS as a profession and it pisses me off that anyone thinks it is appropriate that pre-hospital care is being administered by teenagers. I don't care if they are fine upstanding members of the community that all get 100% on their EMT tests.

People want the most advanced hospitals, they want a variety of specialists, they want the best medical care available, but yet in this case they are willing to limit themselves to basic pre-hospital care when they could more than afford better service. That is not ok in my book.

And yes, I am aware they have a mutual aid contract with the next city over for Paramedic care, but they don't respond to every call.

 

[Bullets]

Ok, I'll say it. I think it is a great way for a bunch of very rich people to indulge their kids. Look up Darien, CT, it is a very wealthy area that could more than afford a full Paramedic ambulance service. The more I looked into it the more the whole thing came off as something to give privileged kids a unique activity to make themselves look good on their college applications. Frankly, stuff like this just undermines EMS as a profession and it pisses me off that anyone thinks it is appropriate that pre-hospital care is being administered by teenagers. I don't care if they are fine upstanding members of the community that all get 100% on their EMT tests.

People want the most advanced hospitals, they want a variety of specialists, they want the best medical care available, but yet in this case they are willing to limit themselves to basic pre-hospital care when they could more than afford better service. That is not ok in my book.

And yes, I am aware they have a mutual aid contract with the next city over for Paramedic care, but they don't respond to every call.

The kids dont respond alone, they always have an adult with a higher level of training with them.

Also, yes, paramedics dont respond to every call, because they are not needed for every call, thats why they are contracted. Their call volume isnt so substantial to warrant a dedicated medic service. this also opens the whole medic v basic on calls issue, which is neither here nor there

 

[TransportJockey]

The kids dont respond alone, they always have an adult with a higher level of training with them.

Also, yes, paramedics dont respond to every call, because they are not needed for every call, thats why they are contracted. Their call volume isnt so substantial to warrant a dedicated medic service. this also opens the whole medic v basic on calls issue, which is neither here nor there

Really? There's a call volume requirement to warrant ALS response? I bet we have less calls here and we manage to have a paid Almost exclusively ALS (EMT-I and EMT-P) service in one of the poorest counties in my state.