ALERT Medic

See, I don't understand this mindset. I'm all for being nice to someone but I think the OP has done all he/she can do to be nice. This person has to be stopped. Simple as that. Being nice isn't the way to go about it. It needs to be reported and documented. Maybe even a formal grievance should be done. This kind of thought process is just what keeps people like this partner in the job. Nobody reports it and they just smile and carry on. What a bunch of hogwash. If that's your way of handling the problem, you'll never last long in EMS. You have to say something. Do you seriously use this approach to dealing with a problem partner? If so, you're not doing anyone any good by not reporting things like this. I'm all for dealing with the person directly but in this case it's apparent that the direct approach doesn't work...time to move to the next level and report it formally.

Jake, you have the award for most creative re-naming of the fire service! I love that... Where in NC are you?

I had to quit watching it due to laughter! Don't let that archaic thinking get you down. It's going to be around for a long time still. Most of the 'firemedics' I know would rather be fighting fire instead of being a paramedic anyway so I know when we respond, the patient is getting the best care possible at that point. Look at it this way, since the onset of stricter fire codes and safety precautions, the fire service has to justify getting their ridiculous budget approved each year and the best way to do it is PSA's like that.

Your agency should have a Corporate Compliance policy. Look into it. What this guy is doing is grounds for termination and potential legal action on your part. He is creating a hostile work environment. Most employers don't tolerate things like this, no matter what the staffing crunch is like. You must document every encounter. And by documenting, I don't mean using a little note pad like a diary. I mean a formal write up to your supervisor/director. If your company does employ a corporate compliance policy, you should be able to make an anonymous grievance. All joking aside, this is serious. Quit putting up with it and do something about it. I know if I had an employee come to me with something like that, I'd yank his ass off the truck and pull him into the directors office with me and you. This kind of behavior is unacceptable by any standard. Good luck! It's going to be tough.

You know, this is why I stopped posting here for so long. Assholes who like to come on here and blast one another for every little OPINION. You aren't reading my posts completely so I don't see a need to keep this crap up. You're right, he didn't mention mental health in his initial post but someone else did, that's why I mentioned it. I've tried to keep an open mind but apparently no body else has. I never said mental health issues were strictly police matters. NEVER! I sure as hell don't need you to school me on what a medical condition is so just keep that crap to yourself. I'm very aware that mental health issues are medical conditions so thank you for you input, next time keep it to yourself if you're going to try to educate me on something as basic as what a medical condition is. You didn't read my post fully. People who call us just for transport to Mental Health get taken by the police. NOT MEDIC. Mental health doesn't accept ambulance patients. How many times do I need to state this? So much for coming back to this site and expecting things to change. Later.

That's what I'm trying to get at spenac.

No, not necessarily. Our system isn't designed to transport people to mental health. We have a seperate hospital for mental health patients and as long as they haven't tried to do anything to themselves and just want to go to mental health, it's a police matter and they transport. Not to mention that Mental Health won't accept ambulance patients. The OP also didn't say anytning about this scenario involving a mental health problem. I referred to this person as a wacho because it sounds to me like he/she is. Plus, if you read my post fully, you'd have seen that I stated a patient is defined as anyone with an injury or MEDICAL COMPLAINT. So, to answer the question, no, just because they're not bleeding doesn't mean they don't have a medical disorder. I'm a firm believer that stupidity on this person's behalf is an incurable disease;) We don't transport people for lunch specials, simple as that.

That's just messed up, man.

Well, I still disagree with transporting this goof anywhere except county lock up for abuse of the 911 system. As for people who are going to ask about what to do to cover our liability, our protocols clearly state that a patient is defined as someone with an injury, or medical complaint. Last time I checked, a person saying they're hungry and want to go to the hospital for a food 'special' doesn't constitute a medical complaint. Hense calling the police for them to intervene. I don't think for one second that our medical director is going to jump in anyone's junk over not taking this wacho to the hospital. We have plenty of calls that people think by calling for an ambulance that they will get immediate transport to the hospital or worse, mental health and then they are gently educated by the police on how to use our services:)

Yeah, but do you know exactly what he's talking about?

Who cares? I feel like as long as you know what you prefer and that others might not approve of or be involved in the same lifestyle, just don't throw it in everyones faces. If you're gay, good for you. Be proud but don't flaunt and don't pressure others to see it your way. That's my philosophy and it's worked well for me and the folks I've worked with who are gay. People who are intollerant are just setting themselves up in my opinion.

Geezer. :tongue: :thumbup: disclaimer: The term Geezer is in no way meant to offend anyone and is simply used as a joke to my pal Dustdevil. Anyone offended should take this as an open ended and immediate appology. If you're too sensitive to not see this disclaimer as a joke then no appology will be issued.

The last one of these I had actually coded in the ED but after looking at his scenario and yours, I don't think there was anything that could have been done differently and it actually make a difference. Some people just get too far into their problems before they call EMS and no matter how hard and fast we work, we just aren't able to keep up and do any real good. That's just my opinion though.

I guess I'm confused a bit. First off, call the police. Second, call the supervisor. Third, inform this wacho that you are not a taxi and since he doesn't have a medical complaint and will not allow you to do your job, you're not transporting him. Simple as that. I agree with Ruff, you're making a mountain out of a mole hill with this scenario. I know we have some people in our profession that aren't that blessed with a huge amount of common sense but give everyone a little credit. Not one of us likes people to just assume ownership of our rigs and I don't think for a second that I'm not gonna get in this persons face and inform them that they do not enter our unit without talking to us and that they are to exit the truck unless they have a medical complaint and then you wait for the police to arrive. Which brings me to a whole different point: Stage for police to arrive on scenes like this. Very little information and basically a 911 hang up call, who are you to say that the scene is safe to even approach at this time. I'm going to respond but while I check enroute, request police to respond and inform dispatch that I'll be staging at a safe distance until someone can ensure that this isn't something that will get me or my partner hurt or worse. Just my $.02

What lens and camera set up did you use? I'm only asking because those aren't exactly 'Macro' shots. Go to www.photography-on-the.net/forums and look in the macro section for what macro's are. BTW, I'd have never thought of shooting the drug box Good clear shots though. At least the colors are good and there's no real blurring of the photos.