Comments on: A NEED TO KNOW BASIS

By: Mel Oakley

Mel Oakley — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:11:46 +0000

i have noticed this, as i read your post above it is as if i was speaking out myself. i find my self asking for all the people in the classroom who want to be paramedics to raise their hands, most went up. i asked how many wanted to be fire fighters, a lot of hands stayed up, when i asked how many were in this class because paramedic is a requirement for firefighter job applications and for no other reason, most of the hands stayed up. i found myself having a similar rant and soapbox speech as you did, i used to teach in an area where it was primarily fire based ems and also where my entire family resides. i have sense returned to the other side of the state where private ems reigns and fire fighters are the mfr’s and put out fires. the apathy toward paramedics is bad enough when it comes from everyone else, but how the hell are we supposed to give a hoot about helping new students when they themselves do not care about being a paramedic? buckman keep it up, i look forward to your future posts. till then; have fun, be safe

By: Buckman

Buckman — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:25:42 +0000

Yes, they don’t seem to be able to differentiate between reliable information and good sources. They will constantly come up to me saying that ‘some guy’ told them that they don’t need to be doing this in ACLS. “Who is this guy?” I ask. Someone who is not an instructor, and has no special experience or knowledge whatsoever.

By: Janet C.

Janet C. — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:32:54 +0000

That attitude is everywhere. I notice it with the new folks just out of school in software engineering and at the fire station. I don’t know if it’s the high schools to blame? They have the kids take an online test to tell them what they should pursue in life. The kids answer the way they answer any test… they do what they think parents/teachers want to hear. I think what is missing is someone who actually knows something about the person to sit down and talk with them about what they want to do for a career. They need a chance to sit in for a day with someone who does the job. Maybe the ride-on should come at the start of the EMT classes instead of (or in addition to) at the end?
I also notice that this generation is taught to question everything. It is extremely annoying when you are trying to do FF or EMT training. Yes, there are a million ways to do something, but when you are part of a team doing a dangerous job we all have to do the job assigned in a predictable way. They just can’t seem to grasp that.

By: Buckman

Buckman — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:31:54 +0000

I am going somewhere. Trust me. I will try and get installment #2 up today. This was inspired by our podcast with Rob the other night. I am bringing many loose ends of my career into one tangled knot right now. Stay tuned.

By: Greg Friese

Greg Friese — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:34:08 +0000

Buck, I am reading, but I am not sure what to make of it yet. I will look forward to your ongoing writing and conversation with you on this topic. Be well.