Treatment of paramedics called appalling Courier-Islander June 12, 2009
I am writing in response to the article written by Mr. Dan MacLennan titled "No End in Sight for Paramedic Strike." I came across the article on an EMS website, and was appalled by what I read. BCAS should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this strike action to continue for over two months with no attempt to negotiate. The public should be appalled that the very people that they depend on in their time of need are being ignored by their own government. The public should be asking why this is being allowed to happen. Obviously, the voices of the emergency medical staff in the province mean nothing to the provincial government, as they continue to treat those employees with such disrespect. The public and the government should be asking themselves what quality of people they would like to tend to them in their darkest hour - whether that be a heart attack, a motor vehicle collision, or another medical emergency. Do they want individuals who are uneducated and untrained? Or would they prefer educated professionals who have both the knowledge and skills to meet their needs? By treating their EMS employees like they are worth less than other emergency or medical services, quality employees will leave the profession, and BCAS will be left with those who do not want to educate themselves further, and those who do not want to maintain their skills. Those who are passionate about providing the best care will have moved to other provinces or even out of country, where the contributions they make are valued. For those who supervise in their professions, you know that when a business begins to fail, it isn't the best employees that stay - they are the ones who leave, because they are capable of being offered quality employment somewhere else. BCAS is failing, and will lose the quality of staff that the public expects, and they have no one to blame but themselves.Unfortunately, EMS is a young profession, and too many people still consider paramedics and EMT's "ambulance drivers" when in fact, paramedics and EMT's are educated, and provide high quality medical care to patients on scene, and en route to the hospital. We need to educate the public to not look at EMS as "ambulance drivers" but to see EMS as a valuable part of the medical field. I do not live or work in BC, but work in EMS, and instruct as well. I am always angry when I see members of the EMS profession being abused like the staff in BCAS are. Please, assist the emergency medical profession in educating the public that their situation is dire, and that the public needs to support them in their request, not only for increased wages, but increased respect - they deserve it every bit as much as anyone else in emergency services. Annette G. Diemert, Foremost, Alberta _________________________________________________________________ Avec Windows Live, vous gardez le contact avec tous vos amis au même endroit. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9660830
