EMS Advocacy

[Guest guest]

Ok ladies and gentleman, I know i'm preaching to the choir here, but

please hear me out:

Over the last couple of weeks i've been researching EMS employee

rights and protections on a local/state/national level. Much to my

surprise, and as most of you probably already know, there's nothing

out there.

I know that there are state and national level associations

that " advocate " for EMS, but are they truly effective? I am also

aware that things are a hell of a lot different now than they were 10-

20-30 years ago, but hey, when it hits the fan, we're on our own.

I've seen other state's have " regional EMS state representation " , and

some of them seem pretty good.

I also am aware that Texas is a physician delegated practice state

when it comes to EMS, but is that our downfall? ATCEMS has the

wonderful Dr. Racht, Dallas has Pepe, and there are a ton of other

examples, but i bet most of the smaller services, like mine, are

under the medical direction of a family physician, or otherwise not

an " emergency specialized " physician.

Then there are the medical directors like Bledsoe, O'Neill from

SMHCEMS who were, and still are Paramedics. I know from reading the

list servers and most state and national ems publications that

Bledsoe is an advocate for EMS, and he fortunately for us, shares his

knowledge freely.

But back to my original question? Are state and national level

associations that " advocate " for EMS, but are they truly effective?

If they are not effective, what can be done to make them more

effective? Since my " enlightenment " , all the old timers, especially

the ones that have left EMS, say " that's the way it is " " we are the

stepchildren " .

Wow.. I sorta wish i knew that coming into this a few years back, but

even if i did, i'd still be here because i love what i do..

So here's the ultimate question.. now i'm stretching here because i

understand all too well that most persons in politics listen to those

with the most money and the biggest stick:

What can we do to make it better, at least those of us who are still

willing to take up the pitchfork and storm the castle?