Special to EmergencyNet News
From: Jerry Smith, Grapevine Administrator
(jerryfire@earthlink.net)
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 02 11:18 AM
IN COOPERATION WITH:
The Global "All-Risk" Emergency Grapevine "An Incredible Communicator"
INTRODUCTION: According to The American College of Emergency Physicians: (ACEP) "There are 750,000 EMS providers nationwide, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week." Why is it that the EMS industry appears not to be on (public image message) as Fire and Police?
"Is EMS Equal To Police & Fire In The Media/Public Image?"
By: Jerry Smith, Managing Editor
Is the media and public perception of EMS still linked to undisciplined ambulance drivers of the past? We in the public safety community that work along side our dedicated EMS brothers and sisters know they are not undisciplined and each public safety entity have important life saving and protection duties to perform on "all-risk" incident.
On 9/11, there should be no misunderstanding that the emergency medical system composed of courageous ER Doctors, ER Nurses, EMT's, Paramedics and others performed above and beyond the call of duty.
Most were not inside the WTC, instead you responded to EMS staging areas and triage locations where you could begin to treat and control the hordes of the walking wounded. And as expected, you would overcome extreme human challenge to organize medical treatment during a horrendous mass casualty disaster.
Perhaps 9/11 and the tragic deaths of so many Police and Fire at the WTC sent a false message about EMS to the media and the general public. Yes, inside the twin towers were more than 400 New York Police, Port Authority Officers and Firefighters and obviously, their mission to evacuate the many victims, and fight the horrific fire. Records tell us 12 brave EMT-paramedics also died that day at the WTC.
However, outside ground zero and the killing zone were hundreds if not thousands of emergency medical personnel facing the chaos and hysteria of many injured victims rushing away from the twin towers. And when the first tower collapsed the EMS mission became even more complex as victims would now include many emergency responders.One can only imagine the horror of it all as the medical mission now had to contend with such magnitude of injury and death.
If only the general public could know of the thousands of victims you saved under such dire circumstances, they would likely erect a monument of some kind in NYC to pay tribute to your unfettered dedication and skill to save lives. Possibly, your professional service is taken too much for granted, just like the fire service was prior to 9/11.
A PERIOD OF EMS TRANSITION
The North American EMS Employee Organization Network tells us: "This is a period of transition for the medical professions and for the public and private employers who offer emergency medical services. There is no blueprint for how our profession should develop and where it should go but it is clear that this transition can never be successful without the input of EMS workers and the fullest respect for and sensitivity to our rights and needs.
Making sure that happens is the responsibility of the unions representing EMS workers and, to meet that responsibility fully and successfully, unions need all the information and support they can get."
A posted message on the Emergency Grapevine prompted this editorial: "On September 11, our town had a small memorial service to remember those who died and to remember just how important our Fire Departments and Law Enforcement is to our communities. As my husband and I stood there in our EMS uniforms, listening to the speakers and praying for those who were lost, one thing caught my attention.
"During the whole ceremony, not once was the EMS mentioned. I, of course, was slightly offended. But, I still stood there in remembrance for those who died, no matter how offended I felt for my EMS brothers and sisters who lost their lives."
"Either way, there were EMT's who died that day, even though there was a much more tragic loss of Fire Department personnel, not to mention those who worked in the trade centers, Pentagon, and those who were on flight 93. All of them are heroes, as they died that day in tragic circumstances and some performing very heroic acts to save others."
"Maybe I was just offended for no reason, but either way, I stood there showing respect for those that were mentioned."
"And I stood there for those who died, and I prayed for those who had lost their life in such tragic circumstances, no matter what walk of life they chose. They were remembered. I just wish that EMS had been recognized in some form."
Sheryl, you have every reason to be proud and stand tall as a dedicated EMT-Paramedic.
And the more we educate the public - the political process will also change. Time and circumstances always find a way to transform attitudes.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
Biography of the author: Jerry Smith, a former Los Angeles City Fire Captain and California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Fire & Rescue Division Assistant Chief, retired from active service in 1987. After 41years, he is still active in fire-rescue service affairs. Jerry is also the WebBoard Administrator for the Emergency Grapevine, an "all-risk" message forum for emergency response and recovery personnel around the world. A public safety web site established in August 1997. Jerry Smith is a staff writer for the award winning Los Angeles Firefighter. Official publication of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City - Local 112, IAFF, AFL-CIO-CLC.
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