TGIF News Roundup & Open Thread for Nov. 19, 2010

The Volunteer System (0.00 / 0)

is an antiquated system.  There comes a point in public safety where the call volume and need for professionalism surpasses the capabilities of a volunteer system.  90% of NJ probably falls under this category.

The volunteers and the First Aid Council (their lobby group) want to maintain two sets of rules.  More lax rules for volunteers and a more professional set of criteria for paid EMT's.

In the course of one's lifetime you (or family member) are far more likely to need an ambulance over a police officer.  We just don't let anyone carry a gun and enforce the law, and we should not let just anyone with substandard qualifiications play an integral part in saving a life when you pick up the phone and diall 911.

It is an easy drum to beat claiming that your are hurting volunteers and are ultimately increasing costs by going professional.  Do you take your car to a volunteer mechanic? No because you want it fixed fast and correctly.  The state is trying to ensure there is a baseline of training and qualifications for people who staff ambulances and respond to 911 calls.  

"Only a fool would follow a bully"

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by: brendanod @ Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 02:24:38 AM UTC

How about some... (0.00 / 0)

statistics to bear that out. As far as I've seen there is no study showing that volunteer repsonse is substandard to professional response.

I'd be more inclined to believe that instead of the state trying ensure a baseline of training, it's probably more about throwing a bone to the professional EMT lobby and/or union. (I'm assuming they're unionized)

"Where ever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Bonzai

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by: William Weber (WjcW) @ Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 13:42:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You would be shocked (0.00 / 0)

to know the truth.  The response times are greater for volunteers.  Couple that with the fact that the volunteers have less certifications with little or no oversight.

Trust me, when you get sick or in an accident, you need a service that can very quickly get to the scene, very quickly assess and treat your condition, and most importantly - very quickly TRANSPORT you to the proper facility.  In NJ there is really no reason that you should not be in the ER within 30 minutes, from the time you place your 911 call to being transferred from the ambulance to the hospital.  Most volunteers can't even get on scene within 15 - 20 minutes.

The majority of paid EMT's work for hospitals.  The majority are not unionized.  Municipal EMT's are typically not enrolled in police and fire pension system because most do not engage in fire suppression, so they are enrolled in PERS with every other state and municipal employee (from secretary to dump truck driver).  EMS is still the red headed step child of emergency services.  

"Only a fool would follow a bully"

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by: brendanod @ Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 15:01:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

There is a report (0.00 / 0)

http://www.state.nj.us/health/...

"Only a fool would follow a bully"

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by: brendanod @ Sat Nov 20, 2010 at 15:48:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Very shabby, Eagles (0.00 / 0)

A green football field is nothing compared to employing someone who massacred helpless and innocent animals.

I hope that Vick suffers a career-ending injury tonight at the hands of the Giants and then finds himself at the bottom of a pit with a pack of rabid dobermans, pit bulls, rotweilers, and King Charles Cavalier Spaniels.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Mon Nov 22, 2010 at 01:05:33 AM UTC