You know, im not going to try and start a debate here, but I was browsing firehouse and saw something that really set me off. A guy posted a thread asking which O2 bag he should buy. He had just gotten his EMT card and wanted to volunteer at a local dept. He had also purchased a "BLS bag" (whats a BLS bag? medicine is medicine.) This bag contained, I swear, the most redundant list of supplies I had ever seen in my life. He wanted a O2 bottle and AED as well.
This was a game to him. He obtained the minimum level of training required, and went out and must have spent 500 to a grand in medical supplies, and wanted to deck up his car and respond to scenes in it. Whats a single O2 tank going to do for you? What is the medical gas used for? He probably could not tell you. Someone had called him out on his "over doing it" and he started to get that typical attitude, we have all seen it before "I did not post here to be insulted so why dont you guys just lay off okay? If I want to have a BLS bag, than I will". It was the ignorance that bothered me the most. I was so defeated I wanted to shred my own EMT card. I am working hard in college to advance my education and become a real provider, and this knock job thinks he is a medical provider with his BLS bag and O2 and 110 hours of training. I will never live anywhere there is a "vollie" EMS system. I even hate the word "vollie". I will be a professional, educated, sharp, and paid paramedic committed to always bettering my knowledge base. Little can be said the same for "Vollies" who get a AHA card and a first aid cert and run around town with lights and sirens thinking they are making an ounce of difference in the outcomes for discharged patients. I venture to think patients might be discharged in better condition without EMT level care, and just being driven to the hospital.
Alright, I understand your "anger" at some of these whackers that are out there and are just in it for a while. But hell, DO NOT group ALL Vollies in with them. I am a Vollie and a Paid EMT and I'm telling you straight up, all the Volunteer Agencies that I've been to, have friends at, And Seen work are a Thousand Times more professional then 80 Percent of the Paid Ambulance Companies in NJ.
Granted you are entitled to your opinion, But please take SOME respect for Volunteers. Hell, You came onto a Thread directed at Volunteer EMS Agencies and essentially bashed them to hell. Maybe you should take a trip out to Jersey, I Know I would LOVE to show to you that your statements are completely and utterly simple and close minded.
My squad will shatter your beliefs of what you think all Volunteer Agencies are like, as will alot of Vollie agencies. EVERYWHERE You go you will have whackers, Even paid agencies, EVEN PARAMEDICS.
And just to further disprove your theory, Yes, Im a whacker. I have Blue Lights on my car, No I do not speed, Run Traffic Lights, Have a Siren, etc. I use them as an Identifier, If people move out of my way, I give them a wave, and continue on my way. As for the stickers, I have 3 on my car in total. My Old High Schools Logo, my DoD Military Base Access Stickers, and a NJ PBA Supporter one. Eventually ill throw my FD and EMS Squad up there, But im in no rush.
Yes, I have a "BLS Bag" In my car, Why? Because I am out driving a lot on the Highway traveling the state to attend different CAP functions (Civil Air Patrol, ANOTHER Volunteer Agency that is supported by the USAF that i am a part of). Every once in a while I do come upon car crashes that have just happened, or no Medical Providers are at yet. I pull over, and see what help I can offer. If the officer on scene says Im not needed, I continue on my way. No, I dont carry O2, but I see no problem in having it. Same with an AED, If cops carry them in their cars why can't I? Its just precautionary, Im not going to go speeding around town, answering everything on my scanner and strapping them up to the AED.
As for being a "Sharp, professional, Paid Paramedic", You are essentially saying all Volunteers are Unprofessional and vagabonds. I am sharp, I conduct myself in a very professional manner that has been taught to me through my parents and my life, that just carries over into my job. I present myself as a knowledgeable person, But I do not question the activities of others without there being a good reason.
I can not comprehend your reason for hating us Vollies. Were you denied at your local Volunteer Agency? When you were a child did the Volunteers not answer a call that you thought was very important (Though they were probably at an equally important call unbeknown to you.)?
You can PM me if you wish, as A flame war is not needed here. But I take what you said to heart and want to understand why your avidly degrading EMS as a whole by talking bad about your brethren.
h34r: Their patient care is the worst thing, even though their personalities are bad, too.
