Hi all, I'm currently a volly on a rural rescue. I've always done my best to stay out of politics but...... in the past few months I have been vocal about some changes that might benefit the community we serve and the rescue itself. There is a very old school mentality about how things are done and "change" is a four letter word there. Since then the chief is been nothing but rude and nasty to me. I'm currently taking an "I" class and love to run calls. But the BS is almost not worth it anymore. Have any of you ever encountered this? Do any of you think that would hurt my chances of getting on a different rescue when my class is done?
Volly...stay or quit?
- Thread starter MCROP
- Start date
I encountered it. I left and took every young member with me. It's a volunteer station, you aren't getting paid, and there are other stations that will appricate you for what you do.
Some volly stations are so far back in the early days of EMS you just have to wait for people to retire before things change. Don't let it get to you personally.
Some volly stations are so far back in the early days of EMS you just have to wait for people to retire before things change. Don't let it get to you personally.
tssemt2010
Forum Lieutenant
- 172
- 0
- 0
ive encountered some BS similar to this as well, i toughed it out and things have actually gotten much better for me, more recognized and appreciated by supervisors and they have more respect for me because they see that im knowledgable and have something decent to offer, if i didnt believe in it, i wouldnt say it.
bigbaldguy
Former medic seven years 911 service in houston
- 4,043
- 42
- 48
I get this a bit where I'm at. I'm still fairly new so it's only recently become something I really pick up on. I suspect it will bother me mre going forward. I'm considering moving to another service just to see what the grass looks like up close but the two I've looked into are fire based and the politics are even worse then where I'm at. I thought I might try bellaire fire department but I'm not even sure if they take vollies who ride. Its a tough spot but like someone said they aren't paying us so we should go where were happy.
DrParasite
The fire extinguisher is not just for show
- 6,393
- 2,255
- 113
1) if you are not part of the organization, you can't enact change
2) if no one fights for change, than change will never happen
3) some changes will never happen until the dinosaurs either retire, move out of the area, or die. this is consistent everywhere.
4) odds area, there are people in the organization who want change. they might be non-vocal due to the older people, but you are probably not alone.
5) if you are a volly on a rural rescue, there is a good chance you respond from home for calls. that means you can't just join another squad, since you are too far out of the area.
6) see my thread on dinosaurs.
2) if no one fights for change, than change will never happen
3) some changes will never happen until the dinosaurs either retire, move out of the area, or die. this is consistent everywhere.
4) odds area, there are people in the organization who want change. they might be non-vocal due to the older people, but you are probably not alone.
5) if you are a volly on a rural rescue, there is a good chance you respond from home for calls. that means you can't just join another squad, since you are too far out of the area.
6) see my thread on dinosaurs.
I think most of your post could be applied to just about any organization, in any field. When you're new, you can't expect everything to come together for you right away. Concentrate on listening and learning -- you'll be better equipped to suggest changes later.
If there are other stations nearby I would say just transfer to another one. While it is honorable to institute change and you might feel meaningful, it is probably way too much work for a place that you volunteer at. It is going to take alot of time and effort that most people dont have.
Just make sure that its a problem at that station and not the EMS culture as a whole that is bothering you
Just make sure that its a problem at that station and not the EMS culture as a whole that is bothering you
It's not all about the toys and equipment...my volly station at college has some of the nicest equipment I've ever seen, and I wouldn't let my family move into town and deal with the poor level of service they deliver.
Enacting change is fine, but sometimes there are dinosaurs that just won't quit, and there's no reason to give yourself hypertension and a headache over it.
Enacting change is fine, but sometimes there are dinosaurs that just won't quit, and there's no reason to give yourself hypertension and a headache over it.
Tigger
Dodges Pucks
- 7,904
- 2,879
- 113
Not saying you don't work with a progressive service since I don't you. However, modern equipment doesn't always equal a progressive service. It's the providers themselves and their knowledge bases, along with a strong supervisory and medical direction staff that make it possible for a system to be progressive. Great equipment is important, but it's not the be all end all.
I know lot's of places that haven't upgraded their treatment practices in years but have ambulances worth more than most people's houses.
WuLabsWuTecH
Forum Deputy Chief
- 1,244
- 7
- 38
I'm on two departments. One is a very busy volunteer department and was at one point in the 80's the busiest single station FD in the United States (13k+). Now we don't usually hit 1000 runs a year. There is a lot of old school mentality there which is why we're not really used for mutual aid as much anymore (back in the 80's about 2500 runs were in our district and the other 11k or so were mutual aid). At this department, they don't want change, and I don't bother trying. I'm here to take care of patients to the best of my ability, build rapport and enjoy the company of the other guys, and then I go home.
At my other department, the Chief there is more progressive. He values my opinion on things (knowing I'm a medical student) and will ask. I offer suggestions as well, and if he doesn't take them, that's his prerogative. His shirt has "Chief" before his name, mine doesn't.
It's all in your own mentality. Am I happier at the second department? Yes, of course, but not by that much. I take more runs at the first department and get a lot of good experience. I just know that trying to change anything around there is futile and I'm ok with that. If you can live with just being a low level worker and enjoying yourself, then so be it. Live a happy life and run in good company. If you know you cannot be happy in such a situation, you'll have to go searching for a department that values your input, but that will be a lot tougher to come by.
At my other department, the Chief there is more progressive. He values my opinion on things (knowing I'm a medical student) and will ask. I offer suggestions as well, and if he doesn't take them, that's his prerogative. His shirt has "Chief" before his name, mine doesn't.
It's all in your own mentality. Am I happier at the second department? Yes, of course, but not by that much. I take more runs at the first department and get a lot of good experience. I just know that trying to change anything around there is futile and I'm ok with that. If you can live with just being a low level worker and enjoying yourself, then so be it. Live a happy life and run in good company. If you know you cannot be happy in such a situation, you'll have to go searching for a department that values your input, but that will be a lot tougher to come by.