EMS Pay

[Guest guest]

Well said and I can't agree more. Having lived in many areas I know

these places exsist but for now I will put up with texas and give up

on that place that will pay me what I am worth. When I leave I will

begin that search again.

toni

After reading the most recent posts on this server, a few questions

come to my mind.

1. How can we as a group make some of these employers pay

some of our kindred what they are worth?

2. If we cannot make them " ante up " , how can we make ourselves

more valuable?

3. Is there some way we can get the support of legislators and/or

state officials in this seemingly eternal battle?

SHEESH, those questions were easy to ask, but unfortunately,

the answers never come forth. As EMS personnel, it is our

responsibility to serve the public to the best of our ability. I

guess

we automatically expect our employers to " take care " of us with the

same enthusiasm. When this does not occur, we get upset. Some

of the solutions may not be as difficult as once thought.

Increasing

the requirements of certification has worked in some states, but

they

have not been totally effective. Some people in the business are

saying

that the recent paramedic shortages are an indication that our

personnel

are leaving the business which will eventually drive up wages.

Still

others

say, " Wait till ya get a load of the new DOT paramedic, no one is

gonna

go through that! " If they don't " go through that " , well that just

raises our

value even more. I am sure if everyone in the state can get

somewhere

near the same page, we can begin to do something about the problem.

But, the problem didn't begin last month or even last year. It has

been

going on for several years and the solutions will not come overnight.

If

you do want it to change overnight, well then I suggest you pack

your

bags

and move to somewhere that pays their personnel what they are worth.

Those places DO EXIST!! Some people say that money does not bring

happiness. Well, that is true but I would rather be happy in a nice

brick

house rather than happy in a nice three-room shack. If you have a

suggestion

on how to help with this situation, POST IT! or send private mail.

I

won't

claim to lead the charge, but myself and many others would be willing

to

join the group. Just maybe it is time to speak out somewhere other

than

a list server. That is my 2 cents worth and then some.

Have a safe and happy New Year,

Lt. Gates FF/EMT-P C/E

Lufkin Fire Dept.

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