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EMT/Paramedic's

EMT/Paramedic's

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by: BeckyW Active Indicator LED Icon  OP  New Member
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 2:09pm  
I have no intentions of writing this letter to take any kind of heroism away from anyone.
 
I am an EMT-I. I have been so, for some years now. I work closely with Paramedics & other EMT's. I watch everyday, how we put ourselves out there for the "good" of the community. We live in a world, where we are called on, to help & save the people of our community. We are called on, when someone is having the 'worse' day of their lives.
 
I have personally seen, when the life in someone's eye, is turned back on with the help of myself &/or other EMT's/Paramedics. We have seen the breath escape the lips of a child, being held in our arms, as the mothers screams in the background. We hold the nightmares at night. We are the ones, that cry silently when we could not save them, and return to work with a smile on our face.
 
I work in a fire department, where my firemen are one of the best in the state...I love my fire department. I know my guys are heroic & it takes a special someone to run into the fire, for not alone the people, but to help save the property. I honor them.
 
So, with what I am about to say, I don't want it to come off like I don't respect the job a fireman does.
 
This might be my jealousy speaking...I am almost sickened by the way the people glorify the firemen & not the EMT's/Paramedics. I am so appalled how 'overlooked' we are. I know my firemen are heroic...but, they DO NOT, save lives. They rescue. They hand the injured patient to, whom? The EMT's/Paramedics. We save the life. We are overlooked. We have almost 8x's the amount of calls a day (some area's are even more so) then the firemen. We have come face to face with a person is who suffering from altered mental status & had to not only try to protect ourselves, but our patient. We have had to fight for our own safety, with no team to help.
 
The public, is unaware of our network of life savers. Or the public, does not care. You walk into a toy store, the vehicles you see on the shelves are firetrucks...no ambulance in sight. The public has fire prevention month, fill the boot, dinners/lunches catered, where as we get EMS week, only recognized by the hospitals, we take our patients to. The public does not hear about the EMT/Paramedic who passes in the line of duty. I sometimes am unaware, until I go to EMS conference, once a year.The only time we are recognized, is (sometimes) by the family member of some one we saved. It is not a public act, but a private one, that we hold deep in our hearts.
 
Our job is not pretty. It is not for the weak at heart. We DO put our lives on the line for the public everyday, multiple times a day with no break, no food, no sleep, & sometimes will put our family second for our jobs. While my firemen, sit at the station for hours to days on end, waiting for that one fire. Anyone can drive by almost any fire station & look in the bay. You will see the fire trucks parked & no ambulance in the bay. Why? Cause they are out running ca after call. We are the reason for someone to pick up the phone & dial 911.
 
My hero...Is not my firemen of my department. It's not my fellow EMT's/Paramedics. My hero, is the police. They are the one's who makes sure that our scene is safe for us to do our jobs. They are the one's we plead for on the radio, when a patient wants to go hand to hand with us. We call the police over our firemen. And, they are there every time. They are my hero's...
 
I just wanted to write this letter, and yes maybe vent...because it literally brings a tear to my eye, when we are so over looked at what we do & the lives we save. The cops & my fellow EMT's/Paramedics are the true hero's of Houston. They are the one's who are not glorified & are over looked...The public does not seem to care about us, and we are the one's that secure you in this city, with your home, car, work...we secretly help make your life a better one. And we are the ones who have been taken advantage of.
 
Thank you for your time,
Becky W. 4951
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notfromhere Active Indicator LED Icon 12
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 2:21pm  
And to top it off, EMT's pay sucks! However, you can never put down what fire fighters do. They put their lives at risk and many do rescue people in dire situations. At any rate, anybody who works helping people, including the EMTs police, firefighters, nurses, doctors, teachers, the military, etc. will always have my respect. Thank you for your service Becky 4951
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Fallon Active Indicator LED Icon 18
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 2:21pm  
Removed By Request 4951
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alecktra Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 2:36pm  
@BeckyWThank you for bringing this to our attention, (not that EMTs were ever not recognized as "heros"), but I can see why you might say they are overlooked.  You made some very valid points.  I know a retired EMT who has shared many stories of both the joys and many more of the horrors that yall endure.  Thank you so much for tackling the daily challenges of a very, very hard job.  I couldn't do it myself.  I am grateful for all of our service men/women in every field & wouldn't want one of them to be taken for granted.  Thank you, again.  (And it's okay to vent sometimes.  You carry a heavy burden for the greater good). Emoticon 4951
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GoldenGirl Active Indicator LED Icon 15
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 2:44pm  
But firemen are HOT !!!!!! I have to admit I never really thought about the medical service folks untill I fell really ill a couple years ago.. I spent over a month in the hospital much of that time they did not know what was wrong with me and I was having test after test.....  I gotta say you only hear the hospital horror stories never the good stories...   I spent 2 weeks at Kingwood Hospital and was transported to the Woodlands and I gotta say other than the Emergency Room once I was admitted I NEVER had a bad experience....  Every nurse every doctor ever orderly was pleasant and helpful.   I have never fogotten them as this really is a thankless job....    BUT I STILL LOVE ME A FIREMAN !! 4951
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rocket Active Indicator LED Icon 3
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 2:48pm  
Very insightful information Becky.  In a broader sense I think you are spot on in that the general public has very little insight into how a lot of governmental departments actually work.  Most of the information people do have comes from pop culture.  For example, in the 1970s EMTs such as yourself got some love due to the television show Emergency that was on for a few years.Anyway thanks again for bringing this to our attention.  Hopefully there will be some that look at EMTs a little differently thanks to your post. 4951
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SandyKnee Active Indicator LED Icon 12
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 2:55pm  
[ Removed By Request ] 4951
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BeckyW Active Indicator LED Icon  OP  New Member
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 3:14pm  
The reason I feel 'taken advantage of' is we work hard & w pride...the community calls & expects us to be there w every call, which we are. I feel they overlook the sacrifices we make to answer their calls.
I personally have missed the last 5-7 years (it's becoming a blur) of Thanksgiving's, Christmas's, & New Year's. I love my job & can not see me doing anything else. But I feel like we are just left out w any recognition of who, I feel, are some of the real hero's.
 
Again, these are just my feelings...I know for a fact some of partners, it has never crossed their minds. They come, do their job, & eventually go home to try and live a normal life. 4951
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Jake_Bob Active Indicator LED Icon 1
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 3:38pm  
I cannot help but feel that part of the problem is that we have over used and trivialized the term hero.  I agree that you might save lives but is usually from a position of safety.  ( I know there are times...) Whereas firemen and police officers actually put their lives at risk.  Performing some act while facing danger is what signifies heroic acts from others. 4951
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BeckyW Active Indicator LED Icon  OP  New Member
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 7:20pm  
Thank you all for your input. 4951
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donnatella Active Indicator LED Icon 13 Forum Moderator
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 7:44pm  
Love me a fireman in uniform. Instant HOT and SEXY! ..sniff sniff...I think I smell smoke...wonder if I could request a super cute one when I call.... Emoticon 4951
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squirtismyboy Active Indicator LED Icon 16
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 9:21pm  
I always thought firefighters HAD to be EMT certified first. Then they either become a paramedic or a firefighter. But I'm just a civilian. 4951
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mgw300e Active Indicator LED Icon 11
~ 9 years ago   Mar 26, '14 10:10pm  
@Beckyw: I have been both an EMT and a fireman, and this thread really has me scratching my head.  Do firemen get more admiration and recognition?  Sure they do, but so what?  Did you seriously become an EMT for the recognition?  I'm seriously baffled by this thread. 4951
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