A doc named Terry Fairbanks wrote this letter to the local media, after they wrote about an 'ambulance driver' who was involved in a wreck. It's one of the most eloquent statements I've heard on one of the biggest frustrations in my chosen profession.
"The terminology that the media is using, ambulance driver, is an inappropriate title that misrepresents the position and training of the paramedic who was driving the ambulance at the time of the crash. In the EMS industry, we never refer to EMTs and paramedics as 'ambulance drivers.' Consider that if it had been a police car in the crash, the headline would not have said 'police car driver,' and if it had been a firefighter, it would not have said 'fire truck driver.' Unfortunately, this type of terminology strikes a sensitive point with our EMS providers, as its not uncommon to see media reports about our heroes and first responders that refer to police and firefighters but fail to mention EMS, the third major group of first responders in the public safety community.
Individuals who have chosen a career in providing prehospital emergency care to people in need deserve better public recognition than to be called 'ambulance drivers,' a term they find highly offensive. EMS is a skilled profession, but unfortunately in many areas, its also an underpaid profession. The individuals who dedicate their careers to EMS take pride in their advanced training and experience as EMTs and paramedics, and theyre motivated by the deep sense of job satisfaction that comes from knowing that their knowledge and skills have a true influence on their patients lives.
EMS providers have the skills to deliver many of the medications and perform many of the same emergency procedures that are performed by physicians in the emergency department. The paramedic who was driving the ambulance when the crash occurred is a highly trained and well-respected paramedic in the local EMS community and is suffering enough as a result of this crash. She and her colleagues deserve better from the media."
Such a well spoken letter.
"The terminology that the media is using, ambulance driver, is an inappropriate title that misrepresents the position and training of the paramedic who was driving the ambulance at the time of the crash. In the EMS industry, we never refer to EMTs and paramedics as 'ambulance drivers.' Consider that if it had been a police car in the crash, the headline would not have said 'police car driver,' and if it had been a firefighter, it would not have said 'fire truck driver.' Unfortunately, this type of terminology strikes a sensitive point with our EMS providers, as its not uncommon to see media reports about our heroes and first responders that refer to police and firefighters but fail to mention EMS, the third major group of first responders in the public safety community.
Individuals who have chosen a career in providing prehospital emergency care to people in need deserve better public recognition than to be called 'ambulance drivers,' a term they find highly offensive. EMS is a skilled profession, but unfortunately in many areas, its also an underpaid profession. The individuals who dedicate their careers to EMS take pride in their advanced training and experience as EMTs and paramedics, and theyre motivated by the deep sense of job satisfaction that comes from knowing that their knowledge and skills have a true influence on their patients lives.
EMS providers have the skills to deliver many of the medications and perform many of the same emergency procedures that are performed by physicians in the emergency department. The paramedic who was driving the ambulance when the crash occurred is a highly trained and well-respected paramedic in the local EMS community and is suffering enough as a result of this crash. She and her colleagues deserve better from the media."
Such a well spoken letter.