Waaah Waaah Waah NJ EMS Vollys Whining Again

[spenac]

LOL The drama continues.

http://leadernewspapers.net/modules.php?na...mp;new_topic=18

"The end for volunteer EMTs?

By Alexis Tarrazi

Senior Reporter

(June 10, 2009, 11:05 a.m.) — Dictionary.com describes a volunteer as “a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking; a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.”

As the state budget eases closer to becoming reality, local emergency medical technicians (EMTs) may feel one of the harshest cuts from the financial scalpel.

In an effort to lower the budget, Gov. Jon S. Corzine has proposed redirecting $4 million from the dedicated EMT Training Fund to the general treasury of the State of New Jersey, leaving only a balance of $400,000."

Click the link to read all the whining.

[akroeze]

Wait, they do 1200 calls a year and are still volunteer?

[CBEMT]

Wait, they do 1200 calls a year and are still volunteer?

Please. Town next door does almost 3,000 a year with the exact same situation as NJ- paid medic flycar 24/7, and the volunteer ambulance might get out. During the day, if the duty crew is out of town, they're probably calling us. We do a little under 2,000 paid-per-call.

Edited June 10, 2009 by CBEMT

[spenac]

We do fewer than 500 calls per year and are paid as well as RN's in the area. No reason not to have a paid service.

[akroeze]

We do fewer than 500 calls per year and are paid as well as RN's in the area. No reason not to have a paid service.

My old service had a station that did roughly 40 calls per year yet maintained 100% paid coverage. There is never an excuse.

[joesph]

If they cut the volunteer organizations budgets then it is logical that they would cut paid agencies even more considering wages could account for more then 80% of most emergencey services budgets. And after they cut the wages what will they augment the staffing shortfall with why vollunteers of course

[spenac]

If they cut the volunteer organizations budgets then it is logical that they would cut paid agencies even more considering wages could account for more then 80% of most emergencey services budgets. And after they cut the wages what will they augment the staffing shortfall with why vollunteers of course

Wrong. They will fund the paid service so their citizens get proper care. Drop a lot of the pork and cancel a few celebrations and holiday decorations and they will actually be able to add more paid staff.

[joesph]

Wrong. They will fund the paid service so their citizens get proper care. Drop a lot of the pork and cancel a few celebrations and holiday decorations and they will actually be able to add more paid staff.

Err sorry you didn't frame your answer as a question. The problem is not volunteers its bean counters. There advancement is based on getting the most for less. And when you consider Wages are the highest part(up to 70%) of the budget they will cut staffing with a broad sword. Look into the financial problems of Kalispell Fire dept. it is in the local rag (Dailyinterlake.com) The city council is willing to reduce service and rely on the neighboring volunteers. And this is after they screwed up the budget. It is a good read into city budgeting without regards to your beliefs in fire based EMS. People are uninformed and honestly could give a crap less. They only remember your out there when they are in trouble then they want you there in 5 minutes or less. And honestly they don't care if your paid or volunteer. Isn't apathy special. If you want to change the system it's image that is lacking not volunteers creating mayhem. Why is it people always wave at a firetruck but probably don't see an ambulance unless the lights are on.

[CBEMT]

My old service had a station that did roughly 40 calls per year yet maintained 100% paid coverage. There is never an excuse.

Anytime you guys want to come talk to the taxpayers about it, be my guest. We've been through this before, on this very board.

Wrong. They will fund the paid service so their citizens get proper care. Drop a lot of the pork and cancel a few celebrations and holiday decorations and they will actually be able to add more paid staff.

LOL. Yeah, I bet they'll get right on it. What planet is that on?

Edited June 11, 2009 by CBEMT

[Chief1C]

They will fund the paid service so their citizens get proper care.

Proper care? Paid EMT, Volly EMT.. Same training. Who does it better is just a matter of personal opinion. I've met just as many dipshits on both sides of the story, per se. Not all voluntary organizations are equal. Funding has never been a problem for us. We don't make our people pay for courses - unless they fail.

Edited June 11, 2009 by 4c6