See, here's where I think the difficulties lie, the problem I have isn't with volunteers, they have way more dedication and drive then I do. I don't think that I would do this for free. That being said, my issue isn't with the volunteers dedication, training, motivation or desire. There are volunteers that are slackers, but there are career personnel that are slackers as well, the difference is that the volunteers aren't paid, the career slackers are stealing from the system. My issue is simply that there are fewer groups abused more than EMS volunteers. "They don't have enough money for the paid firefighters/emts they have." If enough people die, local government will find the money, either to pay lawsuits, or they will decide to be proactive. I've been able to work with volunteers who are very well trained, so I don't think the system has been dragged down for them. I think the system has been brought to lowest common denominator for several reasons, to blame that only on volunteers lacks factual evidence. I'd also like to clarify that I don't see volunteers as a "worthless job stealing tick" but rather the victims in a game where someone is trying to get something for nothing. I appreciate all the volunteers that I work with, and I tell them the same thing. In my opinion, "They are being taken advantage of."
