RE: Re: National Standards (Long)

[Guest guest]

i agree with you that paramedicine should include the academic curriculum as

well as the vocational training. as a matter of fact i did take the full

in-depth anatomy and physiology course, english, history, analytical geometry,

and even public speaking, along with a lot of the other classes that are

required for the degree program. i didn't get my degree, because i was

grandfathered in just before they requirement for the degree. i will say that i

have benefited from the academics and that i do plan on increasing my education

when my wife is finished getting her degree. but i can also say that i know a

lot of excellent paramedics that only took the required courses to get their

cert, so it is one of those things that is 6 in one hand and 1/2 dozen in the

other one, an extensive academic background doesn't make a good paramedic, but a

the same time you are right in saying that academics will give you a better base

for credentials in a deposition.

Re: Re: National Standards (Long)

Kenny writes:

" As I have posted, if the NSoP passed tomorrow in its current form,

very

few systems would feel the effects. DFR would continue to run the

same

calls they are running today and would provide the same level of

care. "

And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? You see, what's right

for

Dallas Fire Rescue is NOT what's right for Shackelford County EMS.

The

SoP

document crams us all into the same cage.

Let Dallas do what it wants to, but also let the rest of us do what we

NEED to do, and it's not the same thing necessarily that's right for

Dallas.

GG

E.(Gene) Gandy

POB 1651

Albany, TX 76430

wegandy1938@...

[Guest guest]

i agree with you that paramedicine should include the academic curriculum as

well as the vocational training. as a matter of fact i did take the full

in-depth anatomy and physiology course, english, history, analytical geometry,

and even public speaking, along with a lot of the other classes that are

required for the degree program. i didn't get my degree, because i was

grandfathered in just before they requirement for the degree. i will say that i

have benefited from the academics and that i do plan on increasing my education

when my wife is finished getting her degree. but i can also say that i know a

lot of excellent paramedics that only took the required courses to get their

cert, so it is one of those things that is 6 in one hand and 1/2 dozen in the

other one, an extensive academic background doesn't make a good paramedic, but a

the same time you are right in saying that academics will give you a better base

for credentials in a deposition.

Re: Re: National Standards (Long)

Kenny writes:

" As I have posted, if the NSoP passed tomorrow in its current form,

very

few systems would feel the effects. DFR would continue to run the

same

calls they are running today and would provide the same level of

care. "

And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? You see, what's right

for

Dallas Fire Rescue is NOT what's right for Shackelford County EMS.

The

SoP

document crams us all into the same cage.

Let Dallas do what it wants to, but also let the rest of us do what we

NEED to do, and it's not the same thing necessarily that's right for

Dallas.

GG

E.(Gene) Gandy

POB 1651

Albany, TX 76430

wegandy1938@...

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Salad (Can I call you " Tater " ?)

You make an eloquent case for continuing to raise the

educational bar for EMS.....I find myself in aggreement

with you.

I find it strange that the folks that seem to be the most

vehemently opposed to any attempt at increasing

educational requirements for some reason, are the ones

with the most the most to gain....in professional standing,

respect from our brothers and sisters in other Allied

Health professions as well as the MD's, and most of all,

higher pay.

Each incremental improve made in the last decade has been

met with a similar hue and cry. And each step has

improved the quality of the services our patients receive

and raised our pay as well.

I also dream of a day when a Paramedic can support a

family without having to work three jobs.

But until the system equalizes the time and scope of study

required to qualify a person to become a Paramedic with

that of a RN, we will continue to be seen as bastard

stepchildren (Oh, make that " Ambulance Drivers " ) by other

medical proffessionals.

And until we develop an effective organization to

represent the 40,000 plus medics in Texas, we will

continue to be played against one another by the various

provider services and see our dedication rewarded with

insultingly low pay, no benefits and Dickensean working

conditions. (....please sir, may I have a little

more?....)

The best way any individual medic can work at improving

their lot while continuing to work at the craft we all

love, is to continue to stretch their educational

boundaries with more math, bio-sciences and the hated

''Electives " and to join EMSAT and get a single statewide

voice to push for the pay and benfits a healthcare

proffessional with immense reponsibilities deserves.

I too, am slowly working towards my degree, much as I HATE

the math......and I pity the fool who has to endure a 50+

year old " Angry White Male " in their " Intro to Philosophy "

class....but I will eventually get the paper. Maybe I can

wear a cap and gown with my 16 year-old....

Anyway, keep up the good work, suggest a good math tutor

for me, and renew your EMSAT membership.

Regards-

Terry Dinerman EMTP

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Salad (Can I call you " Tater " ?)

You make an eloquent case for continuing to raise the

educational bar for EMS.....I find myself in aggreement

with you.

I find it strange that the folks that seem to be the most

vehemently opposed to any attempt at increasing

educational requirements for some reason, are the ones

with the most the most to gain....in professional standing,

respect from our brothers and sisters in other Allied

Health professions as well as the MD's, and most of all,

higher pay.

Each incremental improve made in the last decade has been

met with a similar hue and cry. And each step has

improved the quality of the services our patients receive

and raised our pay as well.

I also dream of a day when a Paramedic can support a

family without having to work three jobs.

But until the system equalizes the time and scope of study

required to qualify a person to become a Paramedic with

that of a RN, we will continue to be seen as bastard

stepchildren (Oh, make that " Ambulance Drivers " ) by other

medical proffessionals.

And until we develop an effective organization to

represent the 40,000 plus medics in Texas, we will

continue to be played against one another by the various

provider services and see our dedication rewarded with

insultingly low pay, no benefits and Dickensean working

conditions. (....please sir, may I have a little

more?....)

The best way any individual medic can work at improving

their lot while continuing to work at the craft we all

love, is to continue to stretch their educational

boundaries with more math, bio-sciences and the hated

''Electives " and to join EMSAT and get a single statewide

voice to push for the pay and benfits a healthcare

proffessional with immense reponsibilities deserves.

I too, am slowly working towards my degree, much as I HATE

the math......and I pity the fool who has to endure a 50+

year old " Angry White Male " in their " Intro to Philosophy "

class....but I will eventually get the paper. Maybe I can

wear a cap and gown with my 16 year-old....

Anyway, keep up the good work, suggest a good math tutor

for me, and renew your EMSAT membership.

Regards-

Terry Dinerman EMTP

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Salad (Can I call you " Tater " ?)

You make an eloquent case for continuing to raise the

educational bar for EMS.....I find myself in aggreement

with you.

I find it strange that the folks that seem to be the most

vehemently opposed to any attempt at increasing

educational requirements for some reason, are the ones

with the most the most to gain....in professional standing,

respect from our brothers and sisters in other Allied

Health professions as well as the MD's, and most of all,

higher pay.

Each incremental improve made in the last decade has been

met with a similar hue and cry. And each step has

improved the quality of the services our patients receive

and raised our pay as well.

I also dream of a day when a Paramedic can support a

family without having to work three jobs.

But until the system equalizes the time and scope of study

required to qualify a person to become a Paramedic with

that of a RN, we will continue to be seen as bastard

stepchildren (Oh, make that " Ambulance Drivers " ) by other

medical proffessionals.

And until we develop an effective organization to

represent the 40,000 plus medics in Texas, we will

continue to be played against one another by the various

provider services and see our dedication rewarded with

insultingly low pay, no benefits and Dickensean working

conditions. (....please sir, may I have a little

more?....)

The best way any individual medic can work at improving

their lot while continuing to work at the craft we all

love, is to continue to stretch their educational

boundaries with more math, bio-sciences and the hated

''Electives " and to join EMSAT and get a single statewide

voice to push for the pay and benfits a healthcare

proffessional with immense reponsibilities deserves.

I too, am slowly working towards my degree, much as I HATE

the math......and I pity the fool who has to endure a 50+

year old " Angry White Male " in their " Intro to Philosophy "

class....but I will eventually get the paper. Maybe I can

wear a cap and gown with my 16 year-old....

Anyway, keep up the good work, suggest a good math tutor

for me, and renew your EMSAT membership.

Regards-

Terry Dinerman EMTP

[Guest guest]

I would hope that those of us who have a 4 year degree are able to

remember far enough back to not think that the only course we took were

history and calculus. Even though it was 26 1/2 years ago, I still

remember 4 semisters of English, 1 of Business Math (Algebra and Trig

all mixed into one), Government, History, Biology, Zoology, A & P, Adv

A & P, Reproductive A & P, Pathology, Nutrition, Genetics, Economics,

Accounting, numerous classes in my major, a few electives , Phys Ed,

ROTC, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, all of the labs that are

associated with the Sciences, and one fun course, but I don't remember

what it was (oh yeah, Business Law).

No I don't think any of us think a college education is just a couple of

courses, no more that the only skills we are concerned about are RSI or

Emergency Crichs. But what I do think is a lot of us know there are

many courses required for a college degree that have absolutely nothing

to do with being a good medic or a good anything. They are just

required. And that is probably what most people are against. We don't

have time or money to waste.

BH

Re: Re: National Standards (Long)

Kenny writes:

" As I have posted, if the NSoP passed tomorrow in its current form,

very

few systems would feel the effects. DFR would continue to run the

same

calls they are running today and would provide the same level of

care. "

And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? You see, what's right

for

Dallas Fire Rescue is NOT what's right for Shackelford County EMS. The

SoP

document crams us all into the same cage.

Let Dallas do what it wants to, but also let the rest of us do what we

NEED to do, and it's not the same thing necessarily that's right for

Dallas.

GG

E.(Gene) Gandy

POB 1651

Albany, TX 76430

wegandy1938@...

[Guest guest]

I would hope that those of us who have a 4 year degree are able to

remember far enough back to not think that the only course we took were

history and calculus. Even though it was 26 1/2 years ago, I still

remember 4 semisters of English, 1 of Business Math (Algebra and Trig

all mixed into one), Government, History, Biology, Zoology, A & P, Adv

A & P, Reproductive A & P, Pathology, Nutrition, Genetics, Economics,

Accounting, numerous classes in my major, a few electives , Phys Ed,

ROTC, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, all of the labs that are

associated with the Sciences, and one fun course, but I don't remember

what it was (oh yeah, Business Law).

No I don't think any of us think a college education is just a couple of

courses, no more that the only skills we are concerned about are RSI or

Emergency Crichs. But what I do think is a lot of us know there are

many courses required for a college degree that have absolutely nothing

to do with being a good medic or a good anything. They are just

required. And that is probably what most people are against. We don't

have time or money to waste.

BH

Re: Re: National Standards (Long)

Kenny writes:

" As I have posted, if the NSoP passed tomorrow in its current form,

very

few systems would feel the effects. DFR would continue to run the

same

calls they are running today and would provide the same level of

care. "

And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? You see, what's right

for

Dallas Fire Rescue is NOT what's right for Shackelford County EMS. The

SoP

document crams us all into the same cage.

Let Dallas do what it wants to, but also let the rest of us do what we

NEED to do, and it's not the same thing necessarily that's right for

Dallas.

GG

E.(Gene) Gandy

POB 1651

Albany, TX 76430

wegandy1938@...

[Guest guest]

I would hope that those of us who have a 4 year degree are able to

remember far enough back to not think that the only course we took were

history and calculus. Even though it was 26 1/2 years ago, I still

remember 4 semisters of English, 1 of Business Math (Algebra and Trig

all mixed into one), Government, History, Biology, Zoology, A & P, Adv

A & P, Reproductive A & P, Pathology, Nutrition, Genetics, Economics,

Accounting, numerous classes in my major, a few electives , Phys Ed,

ROTC, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, all of the labs that are

associated with the Sciences, and one fun course, but I don't remember

what it was (oh yeah, Business Law).

No I don't think any of us think a college education is just a couple of

courses, no more that the only skills we are concerned about are RSI or

Emergency Crichs. But what I do think is a lot of us know there are

many courses required for a college degree that have absolutely nothing

to do with being a good medic or a good anything. They are just

required. And that is probably what most people are against. We don't

have time or money to waste.

BH

Re: Re: National Standards (Long)

Kenny writes:

" As I have posted, if the NSoP passed tomorrow in its current form,

very

few systems would feel the effects. DFR would continue to run the

same

calls they are running today and would provide the same level of

care. "

And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? You see, what's right

for

Dallas Fire Rescue is NOT what's right for Shackelford County EMS. The

SoP

document crams us all into the same cage.

Let Dallas do what it wants to, but also let the rest of us do what we

NEED to do, and it's not the same thing necessarily that's right for

Dallas.

GG

E.(Gene) Gandy

POB 1651

Albany, TX 76430

wegandy1938@...

[Guest guest]

Beautiful. PAY ME MORE!

You aren't going to talk ANYBODY into obtaining a degree in pre-hospital

medicine to make 34K a year, period.

Where are you going to find these people at?

magnetass sends

Re: Re: National Standards (Long)

>

>

> Kenny writes:

>

> " As I have posted, if the NSoP passed tomorrow in its current form,

> very

> few systems would feel the effects. DFR would continue to run the

> same

> calls they are running today and would provide the same level of

> care. "

>

> And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? You see, what's right

> for

> Dallas Fire Rescue is NOT what's right for Shackelford County EMS. The

> SoP

> document crams us all into the same cage.

>

> Let Dallas do what it wants to, but also let the rest of us do what we

> NEED to do, and it's not the same thing necessarily that's right for

> Dallas.

>

> GG

>

>

>

> E.(Gene) Gandy

> POB 1651

> Albany, TX 76430

> wegandy1938@...

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Beautiful. PAY ME MORE!

You aren't going to talk ANYBODY into obtaining a degree in pre-hospital

medicine to make 34K a year, period.

Where are you going to find these people at?

magnetass sends

Re: Re: National Standards (Long)

>

>

> Kenny writes:

>

> " As I have posted, if the NSoP passed tomorrow in its current form,

> very

> few systems would feel the effects. DFR would continue to run the

> same

> calls they are running today and would provide the same level of

> care. "

>

> And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? You see, what's right

> for

> Dallas Fire Rescue is NOT what's right for Shackelford County EMS. The

> SoP

> document crams us all into the same cage.

>

> Let Dallas do what it wants to, but also let the rest of us do what we

> NEED to do, and it's not the same thing necessarily that's right for

> Dallas.

>

> GG

>

>

>

> E.(Gene) Gandy

> POB 1651

> Albany, TX 76430

> wegandy1938@...

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Beautiful. PAY ME MORE!

You aren't going to talk ANYBODY into obtaining a degree in pre-hospital

medicine to make 34K a year, period.

Where are you going to find these people at?

magnetass sends

Re: Re: National Standards (Long)

>

>

> Kenny writes:

>

> " As I have posted, if the NSoP passed tomorrow in its current form,

> very

> few systems would feel the effects. DFR would continue to run the

> same

> calls they are running today and would provide the same level of

> care. "

>

> And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? You see, what's right

> for

> Dallas Fire Rescue is NOT what's right for Shackelford County EMS. The

> SoP

> document crams us all into the same cage.

>

> Let Dallas do what it wants to, but also let the rest of us do what we

> NEED to do, and it's not the same thing necessarily that's right for

> Dallas.

>

> GG

>

>

>

> E.(Gene) Gandy

> POB 1651

> Albany, TX 76430

> wegandy1938@...

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I feel that I need to chime in here on a personal point only...I

currently advise students toward our associate's degree and I hear the

same thing from them. Why do I need to take theses courses that seem to

have nothing to do with what I'm trying to accomplish. " Gigo " is a term

that I learned in my computer class (that by the way was required for my

degree) I FIRMLY BELIEVE that if you have a bad attitude toward ANY

class that you will probably not get much out of it, you know " garbage

in, garbage out " . Here's a thought...why not try to apply what is being

taught to your chosen profession instead of trying to come up with all

the reasons it doesn't!

Lonnie

Re: Re: National Standards (Long)

Kenny writes:

" As I have posted, if the NSoP passed tomorrow in its current form,

very

few systems would feel the effects. DFR would continue to run the

same

calls they are running today and would provide the same level of

care. "

And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? You see, what's right

for

Dallas Fire Rescue is NOT what's right for Shackelford County EMS. The

SoP

document crams us all into the same cage.

Let Dallas do what it wants to, but also let the rest of us do what we

NEED to do, and it's not the same thing necessarily that's right for

Dallas.

GG

E.(Gene) Gandy

POB 1651

Albany, TX 76430

wegandy1938@...

[Guest guest]

I feel that I need to chime in here on a personal point only...I

currently advise students toward our associate's degree and I hear the

same thing from them. Why do I need to take theses courses that seem to

have nothing to do with what I'm trying to accomplish. " Gigo " is a term

that I learned in my computer class (that by the way was required for my

degree) I FIRMLY BELIEVE that if you have a bad attitude toward ANY

class that you will probably not get much out of it, you know " garbage

in, garbage out " . Here's a thought...why not try to apply what is being

taught to your chosen profession instead of trying to come up with all

the reasons it doesn't!

Lonnie

Re: Re: National Standards (Long)

Kenny writes:

" As I have posted, if the NSoP passed tomorrow in its current form,

very

few systems would feel the effects. DFR would continue to run the

same

calls they are running today and would provide the same level of

care. "

And that's the crux of the matter, isn't it? You see, what's right

for

Dallas Fire Rescue is NOT what's right for Shackelford County EMS. The

SoP

document crams us all into the same cage.

Let Dallas do what it wants to, but also let the rest of us do what we

NEED to do, and it's not the same thing necessarily that's right for

Dallas.

GG

E.(Gene) Gandy

POB 1651

Albany, TX 76430

wegandy1938@...

[Guest guest]

I currently work in rural EMS, so I can certainly understand your plight and

aggravations from that aspect. Also, the further education I am discussing

is the 2 year degree, the 4 year degree in the NSoP is an entirely different

story.

Most important, we have to to differentiate between immediate goals and long

term goals.

The short term goals are keeping the trucks staffed and running with

competent qualified paramedics unafraid to work long tiring hours for less

than average pay. We need to understanding that education is a) not cheap,

difficult to obtain while you are working full time at 1 if not 2 or 3

jobs, and c) a little on the scary side to some (not all). We need to keep

their less than utilized skills as current as possible with the limited

amount of time, funds and resources available, and quite honestly, as rural

medics we could go on forever.

The short term goals are not to run off the medics without a 2 year degree,

or replace them, or demote them. That is not the intention. The intention to

to increase our knowledge, increase our visibility, increase our

organization, increase our education, increase our financial worth and

increase the respect given to us, *over time*.

The long term goal is to increase the pay and respect for EMS as a whole,

making it much easier in the future to hire Paramedics to work in a

respected health care profession for a livable wage according to their job,

their duties and their education.

I'll never see the benefits of what we do today.

Chicken or the egg?

Better education. More respect and money. Which one is first?

We agree that education is the foundation, no matter the level or extent of

the education, it is none the less the foundation. For EMS to be accepted in

the future (future being defined as 15 years +/-), we have to begin to lay

the groundwork now. The beginning of that (in my opinion) was the creation

of the LP, and the creation of higher educational standards for that level.

It in no way makes the statement that certified medics are unusable, useless

or otherwise second class citizens, and anyone who puts forth that attitude,

or tries to instill that stigma on anyone merely shows his/her ignorance.

Nurses did it when they raised the bar on education, organized and came

together and it worked for them. We have to make it work for us as well.

They now have the clout, the respect in the medical community, and the

paychecks.

So how do we do that? Where do we start? Do we at least agree that in order

to command the respect and money that we so badly want, that we need to make

an effort to raise our own standards? But how? When?

With distance learning growing as it has been, it makes it a little easier

to get some (not all) of the required classes out of the way, but then what

happens? How do we cross that bridge? Of course grants are available, some

employers will give financial assistance, so that helps a little, but what

of the ones who don't qualify, or work for employers without aide?

We cannot insist on more money and respect, and 'promise' to raise our own

standards after we get it, that would be the epitome of 'cart before the

horse'. We know the bar must be raised in order to achieve what we want, so

how do we do that?

I don't have all the answers, I wish I did, but I don't think you and I are

far apart with our thinking.

Mike

> From: B Woodward

>

> I would hope that those of us who have a 4 year degree are able to

> remember far enough back to not think that the only course we took were

> history and calculus. Even though it was 26 1/2 years ago, I still

> remember 4 semisters of English, 1 of Business Math (Algebra and Trig

> all mixed into one), Government, History, Biology, Zoology, A & P, Adv

> A & P, Reproductive A & P, Pathology, Nutrition, Genetics, Economics,

> Accounting, numerous classes in my major, a few electives , Phys Ed,

> ROTC, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, all of the labs that are

> associated with the Sciences, and one fun course, but I don't remember

> what it was (oh yeah, Business Law).

> No I don't think any of us think a college education is just a couple of

> courses, no more that the only skills we are concerned about are RSI or

> Emergency Crichs. But what I do think is a lot of us know there are

> many courses required for a college degree that have absolutely nothing

> to do with being a good medic or a good anything. They are just

> required. And that is probably what most people are against. We don't

> have time or money to waste.

> BH

[Guest guest]

Hey Terry

I can tutor you in math!

Tom LeNeveu

Learning Paramedic

EMStock2004 was a RESOUNDING SUCCESS... Come See us Next year.

_www.emstock.com_ (http://www.emstock.com/)

_www.temsf.org_ (http://www.temsf.org/)

[Guest guest]

Hey Terry

I can tutor you in math!

Tom LeNeveu

Learning Paramedic

EMStock2004 was a RESOUNDING SUCCESS... Come See us Next year.

_www.emstock.com_ (http://www.emstock.com/)

_www.temsf.org_ (http://www.temsf.org/)

[Guest guest]

Hey Terry

I can tutor you in math!

Tom LeNeveu

Learning Paramedic

EMStock2004 was a RESOUNDING SUCCESS... Come See us Next year.

_www.emstock.com_ (http://www.emstock.com/)

_www.temsf.org_ (http://www.temsf.org/)

[Guest guest]

Good post Terry.

I have always believed that we may have to fight battle together, or die

individually.

" dinerman@... " wrote:

Dear Mr. Salad (Can I call you " Tater " ?)

You make an eloquent case for continuing to raise the

educational bar for EMS.....I find myself in aggreement

with you.

I find it strange that the folks that seem to be the most

vehemently opposed to any attempt at increasing

educational requirements for some reason, are the ones

with the most the most to gain....in professional standing,

respect from our brothers and sisters in other Allied

Health professions as well as the MD's, and most of all,

higher pay.

Each incremental improve made in the last decade has been

met with a similar hue and cry. And each step has

improved the quality of the services our patients receive

and raised our pay as well.

I also dream of a day when a Paramedic can support a

family without having to work three jobs.

But until the system equalizes the time and scope of study

required to qualify a person to become a Paramedic with

that of a RN, we will continue to be seen as bastard

stepchildren (Oh, make that " Ambulance Drivers " ) by other

medical proffessionals.

And until we develop an effective organization to

represent the 40,000 plus medics in Texas, we will

continue to be played against one another by the various

provider services and see our dedication rewarded with

insultingly low pay, no benefits and Dickensean working

conditions. (....please sir, may I have a little

more?....)

The best way any individual medic can work at improving

their lot while continuing to work at the craft we all

love, is to continue to stretch their educational

boundaries with more math, bio-sciences and the hated

''Electives " and to join EMSAT and get a single statewide

voice to push for the pay and benfits a healthcare

proffessional with immense reponsibilities deserves.

I too, am slowly working towards my degree, much as I HATE

the math......and I pity the fool who has to endure a 50+

year old " Angry White Male " in their " Intro to Philosophy "

class....but I will eventually get the paper. Maybe I can

wear a cap and gown with my 16 year-old....

Anyway, keep up the good work, suggest a good math tutor

for me, and renew your EMSAT membership.

Regards-

Terry Dinerman EMTP

[Guest guest]

Good post Terry.

I have always believed that we may have to fight battle together, or die

individually.

" dinerman@... " wrote:

Dear Mr. Salad (Can I call you " Tater " ?)

You make an eloquent case for continuing to raise the

educational bar for EMS.....I find myself in aggreement

with you.

I find it strange that the folks that seem to be the most

vehemently opposed to any attempt at increasing

educational requirements for some reason, are the ones

with the most the most to gain....in professional standing,

respect from our brothers and sisters in other Allied

Health professions as well as the MD's, and most of all,

higher pay.

Each incremental improve made in the last decade has been

met with a similar hue and cry. And each step has

improved the quality of the services our patients receive

and raised our pay as well.

I also dream of a day when a Paramedic can support a

family without having to work three jobs.

But until the system equalizes the time and scope of study

required to qualify a person to become a Paramedic with

that of a RN, we will continue to be seen as bastard

stepchildren (Oh, make that " Ambulance Drivers " ) by other

medical proffessionals.

And until we develop an effective organization to

represent the 40,000 plus medics in Texas, we will

continue to be played against one another by the various

provider services and see our dedication rewarded with

insultingly low pay, no benefits and Dickensean working

conditions. (....please sir, may I have a little

more?....)

The best way any individual medic can work at improving

their lot while continuing to work at the craft we all

love, is to continue to stretch their educational

boundaries with more math, bio-sciences and the hated

''Electives " and to join EMSAT and get a single statewide

voice to push for the pay and benfits a healthcare

proffessional with immense reponsibilities deserves.

I too, am slowly working towards my degree, much as I HATE

the math......and I pity the fool who has to endure a 50+

year old " Angry White Male " in their " Intro to Philosophy "

class....but I will eventually get the paper. Maybe I can

wear a cap and gown with my 16 year-old....

Anyway, keep up the good work, suggest a good math tutor

for me, and renew your EMSAT membership.

Regards-

Terry Dinerman EMTP

[Guest guest]

Good post Terry.

I have always believed that we may have to fight battle together, or die

individually.

" dinerman@... " wrote:

Dear Mr. Salad (Can I call you " Tater " ?)

You make an eloquent case for continuing to raise the

educational bar for EMS.....I find myself in aggreement

with you.

I find it strange that the folks that seem to be the most

vehemently opposed to any attempt at increasing

educational requirements for some reason, are the ones

with the most the most to gain....in professional standing,

respect from our brothers and sisters in other Allied

Health professions as well as the MD's, and most of all,

higher pay.

Each incremental improve made in the last decade has been

met with a similar hue and cry. And each step has

improved the quality of the services our patients receive

and raised our pay as well.

I also dream of a day when a Paramedic can support a

family without having to work three jobs.

But until the system equalizes the time and scope of study

required to qualify a person to become a Paramedic with

that of a RN, we will continue to be seen as bastard

stepchildren (Oh, make that " Ambulance Drivers " ) by other

medical proffessionals.

And until we develop an effective organization to

represent the 40,000 plus medics in Texas, we will

continue to be played against one another by the various

provider services and see our dedication rewarded with

insultingly low pay, no benefits and Dickensean working

conditions. (....please sir, may I have a little

more?....)

The best way any individual medic can work at improving

their lot while continuing to work at the craft we all

love, is to continue to stretch their educational

boundaries with more math, bio-sciences and the hated

''Electives " and to join EMSAT and get a single statewide

voice to push for the pay and benfits a healthcare

proffessional with immense reponsibilities deserves.

I too, am slowly working towards my degree, much as I HATE

the math......and I pity the fool who has to endure a 50+

year old " Angry White Male " in their " Intro to Philosophy "

class....but I will eventually get the paper. Maybe I can

wear a cap and gown with my 16 year-old....

Anyway, keep up the good work, suggest a good math tutor

for me, and renew your EMSAT membership.

Regards-

Terry Dinerman EMTP