Fire Rescue doesn't work cause it's a racial thing

[akflightmedic]

http://www.firehouse.com/topics/top-headlines/ex-dc-chief-regrets-ems-merger

Click link for entire story...

Ex-D.C. Chief Regrets Merger With EMS

BY MATTHEW CELLA

The Washington Times

Posted: Fri, 03/12/2010 - 11:08

Updated: Fri, 03/12/2010 - 11:12

The former D.C. fire chief tasked with merging his firefighting and emergency medical services divisions to improve a beleaguered ambulance service now says the department should be divided, in large part because the "culture" of the historically white fire service makes employees indifferent to treating needy city residents.

Adrian H. Thompson, who led the department from July 2002 through December 2006 and took the initial steps to merge the responsibilities of the department's civilian EMS work force with its uniformed firefighters, said he no longer thinks the plan can work.

"It's not working," Mr. Thompson said in an interview with The Washington Times. "It's a cultural issue. They're not going to change the culture of this department."

[Just Plain Ruff]

http://www.firehouse.com/topics/top-headlines/ex-dc-chief-regrets-ems-merger

Click link for entire story...

Ex-D.C. Chief Regrets Merger With EMS

BY MATTHEW CELLA

The Washington Times

Posted: Fri, 03/12/2010 - 11:08

Updated: Fri, 03/12/2010 - 11:12

The former D.C. fire chief tasked with merging his firefighting and emergency medical services divisions to improve a beleaguered ambulance service now says the department should be divided, in large part because the "culture" of the historically white fire service makes employees indifferent to treating needy city residents.

Adrian H. Thompson, who led the department from July 2002 through December 2006 and took the initial steps to merge the responsibilities of the department's civilian EMS work force with its uniformed firefighters, said he no longer thinks the plan can work.

"It's not working," Mr. Thompson said in an interview with The Washington Times. "It's a cultural issue. They're not going to change the culture of this department."

If they don't want to work or change the culture then get out the freaking way. It's your job to take care of all the citizens. And this chief should be the first to go since he isn't willing to be a change champion.

[VentMedic]

City officials on Thursday said an investigation had been initiated into whether criminal conduct or negligence was involved on the part of the senior paramedic, who is black.

If the Paramedic is black, does that mean she no longer cares about black people because she is working in this agency? I think there are other deeper issues other than just race here starting with their EMS training and oversight for the medical side as well as failing to instill a sense of professionalism for EMS as health care professionals.

Edited March 13, 2010 by VentMedic

[Dustdevil]

Well, kudos to him for speaking out, even if belatedly. While his primary point is certainly not the primary problem with the merger, I do have to agree that it is probably a significant one. Problem is, even if you made it an all black department, the remaining problems would still be significant enough to doom this department, so it's sort of a moot point.

[Just Plain Ruff]

Well, kudos to him for speaking out, even if belatedly. While his primary point is certainly not the primary problem with the merger, I do have to agree that it is probably a significant one. Problem is, even if you made it an all black department, the remaining problems would still be significant enough to doom this department, so it's sort of a moot point.

But then the all black department wouldn't want to take care of the Whites but that would not be racist would it?

This department sounds like it's a train wreck with a side of plane crash added to it.

I think Dust and AK should swoop in, fire all those who won't get out of their recliners to work and put in some new blood.

[Richard B the EMT]

Any emergency agency, either FD, EMS, LEO, or combined of these, should understand the simplicity of their work, in that the only color that should be acknowledged is NO color!

When my brother was in the Navy Reserve Officer's Training Corps (NROTC), a USMC Sargent charged with his class' training, said "I don't see white, I don't see black, I don't see yellow, or red. I SEE THE COLOR OF YOUR UNIFORMS!"

And so it should be!

[JTpaintball70]

Definately sounds like it's time to clean house around there.

[emtannie]

Why is it that when something is wrong in a department, it gets blamed on race? I realize I am probably quite naive in black/white race relations, as we have a very small black population here.

Now, having said that, we have numerous other cultures, and sometimes there are disagreements between them.

What I don't get, it how when someone isn't doing their job, why does it get blamed on race? The fact is, someone isn't doing their job. In EMS, it is our job to go to calls and treat our patient as best we can, regardless of race, age, religion, sexual orientation, or color of their underwear. If the crews on this service can't do that, maybe they should go work in sanitation services, or another department where their communication with the public is limited.

I agree with others who have said this problem comes from the top. The best leaders lead by example, and unfortunately, when leadership plays the race card, of course the staff will follow. The example set is not a good one, and allows for excuses in providing poor patient care. They should all be ashamed of their lack of professionalism.

[HERBIE1]

There are many components to this problem. It's a systemic issue, and although I don't work there, I can guarantee many of the problems they have are not unique to DC. Is there a racial issue? Of course there is, as well as an organizational culture issue, a political issue, a financial issue, proper allocation of resources issue, and a turf war issue.

There is so much to address here it's tough to know where to start.

Suffice it to say, there is no simple fix

[aussiephil]

They want to be firefighters and firefighters only,"

Says it all.

Let the tossers be tossers & let those who want to work in prehospital medicine only do that.

This will be the next evolution joint services. Seperation.