Nothing wrong with a little bit of pain punishment. It's a simple concept- you touch the stove, you get burned, you don't touch the stove again. The problem is that some nutcase parents out there just don't know when to put the brakes on it. They're obviously the minority, but in order to effectively address the issue, some feel that we need to target everyone- especially since these abusive spastics don't exactly walk around making it known to everyone and their headshrinker what it is they're doing. It's too bad some people just have no self-control.
Should EMS be armed
- Thread starter fortsmithman
- Start date
AlaskaEMT
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With the proper training, yes, of course.
It takes 12 weeks to become a police officer. No disrespect to LEO's, but 12 weeks translates into EMT-B for us. I'm tired of hearing about EMS providers getting stabbed and shot.
It takes 12 weeks to become a police officer. No disrespect to LEO's, but 12 weeks translates into EMT-B for us. I'm tired of hearing about EMS providers getting stabbed and shot.
BLSBoy
makes good girls go bad
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HUH!?
12 weeks.
40 hrs/week.
480 hrs.
EMT=120 hrs (roughly)
FAIL.
I am more concerned about idiot EMT drivers, fat pieces of lard, non EMTs on ambulances, back injuries, the weight of the Stryker Power Cot, and the upcoming 2009 MLB season then I am about getting shot or stabbed.
Why? I have a better chance of getting injured/killed by those events then I am by someone shooting or stabbing me.
Do some research, and tell me what the greatest threat (at least statistically) for EMS responders is.
Shooting/stabbings are oversensationalized.
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Here are two interesting studies with statististis:
Firefighters
http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/osfff.pdf
EMS Occupational Statistics
[FONT=Arial,Bold]We need to get the core responsibilites required for EMS right before taking on additional duties. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Bold]Carrying a gun is not a good substitute for your inability to move out of harm's way or to think before you act in any situation. The gun will not make up for poor training, alertness/awareness or being too out of shape to move for even the simplest tasks required of the job. . [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Bold]Carrying a gun is not a good substitute for your inability to move out of harm's way or to think before you act in any situation. The gun will not make up for poor training, alertness/awareness or being too out of shape to move for even the simplest tasks required of the job. . [/FONT]
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reaper
Working Bum
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What does that have to do with anything?
BLSBoy
makes good girls go bad
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Since I was listing what affected me, that affects me. It is much heavier then the regular version.
12 weeks, and a bachelors degree usually.
AJ Hidell
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daedalus
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LAPD requires a pulse, a GED, and the ability to speak english.
FYI, medical ethics prohibits providers from doing harm. The police have their job to do. We have our own. It is not in our job description to use force. EMS should not ever be armed with anything more than two ams connected to a critically thinking and educated brain.
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ErinCooley
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I'm a fan of gun rights, and guns in general (I have my own pistol and permit, and my husband is a collector. We probably have close to 50 in our home)
However, I don't trust myself or my partners well enough for a gun to be on an ambulance with me. Its too easy to be overpowered by your own weapon in such a small space and personally I dont want to be driving an ambulance when my partner loses his gun, and we both get shot with it.
However, I don't trust myself or my partners well enough for a gun to be on an ambulance with me. Its too easy to be overpowered by your own weapon in such a small space and personally I dont want to be driving an ambulance when my partner loses his gun, and we both get shot with it.
So I lost my old account and had to create a new one...
Anyways, used to be username Mongoose. Working on a 911 BLS rig in LA I was unfortunate enough to be in two active shooter situations within my first four months of work. I worked 1900-0700, and the second time was shot at directly (overdose, guy was afraid of getting caught, panicked, and ended up punching his own ticket gsw to the head), and spent several minutes kissing the pavement with the signature "krack!" sounds of three bullets breaking the sound barrier above my head, my partner's head, and the Co FD medic's head.
Did I wish I was armed so I could shoot back?? Absolutely not. Right then I had secure cover AND concealment w/exfil if needed. My biggest concern was other people getting hit and having a possible MCI on my hands. EMT's get awarded a lot of responsibility with the limited amount of hours they are trained in. We don't need conflicting responsibility! Someone put it well earlier in this post, we are prevented from causing harm. Our liability is high enough, the last thing we need is for some ricky-rescuer to morph into ricky-Rambo and peg a bystander or three in the process.
Also, do you really want to wrestle with some psych that is trying to get your gun? What if it goes off and hits an O2 tank? Or your driver? Get a metal clipboard, take some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MCMAP, or Krav Maga if you feel you must, and just focus on your first priority being removing your person from the threat as fast as possible.
Anyways, used to be username Mongoose. Working on a 911 BLS rig in LA I was unfortunate enough to be in two active shooter situations within my first four months of work. I worked 1900-0700, and the second time was shot at directly (overdose, guy was afraid of getting caught, panicked, and ended up punching his own ticket gsw to the head), and spent several minutes kissing the pavement with the signature "krack!" sounds of three bullets breaking the sound barrier above my head, my partner's head, and the Co FD medic's head.
Did I wish I was armed so I could shoot back?? Absolutely not. Right then I had secure cover AND concealment w/exfil if needed. My biggest concern was other people getting hit and having a possible MCI on my hands. EMT's get awarded a lot of responsibility with the limited amount of hours they are trained in. We don't need conflicting responsibility! Someone put it well earlier in this post, we are prevented from causing harm. Our liability is high enough, the last thing we need is for some ricky-rescuer to morph into ricky-Rambo and peg a bystander or three in the process.
Also, do you really want to wrestle with some psych that is trying to get your gun? What if it goes off and hits an O2 tank? Or your driver? Get a metal clipboard, take some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MCMAP, or Krav Maga if you feel you must, and just focus on your first priority being removing your person from the threat as fast as possible.
AJ Hidell
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Louisiana is a dangerous place.
Micro_87
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I believe that we should be armed...but not on our person possibly maybe having a small cal. maybe a 9mm in a lock box in the rig, idk this is a hard topic...
If you have time to get your gun out of a locked box, you have time to get yourself to safety. If you are getting your gun out of a locked box, you are looking to engage a person in a confrontation. That will also change the way the prosecution and the jury will perceive a situation when you do use your weapon.
Webster
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Unless you're a tactical medic or in the armed forces, weapons and EMS don't mix. Period.
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AJ Hidell
Forum Deputy Chief
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You want to tell us about your vast experienced with armed EMS that supports your contention?
OP
OP
fortsmithman
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A 9MM is not a small calibre a small calibre would be .22 .25 or a .32 . The time spent unlocking the pistol would be better spent putting your foot on the gas and leaving the scene with your partner.
For clarification, Los Angeles, Antelope Valley area to be more specific. Night shift.
Summit
Critical Crazy
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I never go out without at least a couple of ATGMs and possibly a tactical nuke.
Webster
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I have none, and didn't pretend to have any. That's just my opinion.