EMS/DUI

[Just Plain Ruff]

Ok, so taking from a previous topic that received quite a bit of press/response.

So lets say you are an EMS responder and you do get a DWI.

You work for a Agency that allows for non-drivers (medic or EMT)

You are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court of course.

Does Your department has any official policy on firing employees who are charged with DWI (convicted is a different story) or does it allow that particlar charged medic/emt to attend to patients in the back while they go through the court process?

Keep the invective off this thread please.

Here are a couple of questions to the group

1. What are your thoughts on Diversion programs offered by services for substance abuse/alcohol abuse? Do they work?

2. What are your opinions on working with someone who is currently charged (not convicted) of DWI/DUI?

3. What are your opinions on working with someone who is currently charged with a DWI where bodily injury or a fatality occurred?

4. Would you request a change of partner?

5. What is your state's stance on someone who is charged? Do they lose their cert?

Discuss and remember - leave the nasty comments off this thread or I'll request it to be locked. This should be a learning thread not a nasty/negative thread.

[island emt]

1. What are your thoughts on Diversion programs offered by services for substance abuse/alcohol abuse? Do they work?

An EAP or diversion program will only work if the drunk/drug addict wants to make changes to their lifestyle

2. What are your opinions on working with someone who is currently charged (not convicted) of DWI/DUI?

They would not be working if I had a choice, & as boss I do. Our insurance carrier would not cover them after charges are filed, even as a non driver.

3. What are your opinions on working with someone who is currently charged with a DWI where bodily injury or a fatality occurred?

They should be incarcerated until they go to trial

4. Would you request a change of partner?

I would assign them to time out unpaid leave until their court case is done with proceedings.

5. What is your state's stance on someone who is charged? Do they lose their cert?

Our state requires self reporting to them if arrested and charged. Investigations board then reviews charges in conjunction with the state attorney generals office to see if it warrants removal of your license to practice.

[yakc130]

I think with my old service, you were assigned a desk job until things were over, and your license was good again. I remember that we had one guy who had a few violations, including accidents, and he wasn't fired until about the fifth time. We had a union, and EAP.

Of course, where I work now, we don't have that problem because we don't have alcohol or drugs here.

[Just Plain Ruff]

I think with my old service, you were assigned a desk job until things were over, and your license was good again. I remember that we had one guy who had a few violations, including accidents, and he wasn't fired until about the fifth time. We had a union, and EAP.

Of course, where I work now, we don't have that problem because we don't have alcohol or drugs here.

Yakc where do you work? Not to be intentionally offensive but utopia? Alcohol and drugs are everywhere. Care to elaborate your statement? I'm truly curious not being confrontational.

[island emt]

I believe he's currently working in the UAE or Saudi Arabia.

Zero alcohol or drugs.

[Just Plain Ruff]

See that's why I was asking and was truly totally NON confrontational and I hope that it came off that way.

Yeah, no alcohol and or drugs but I'm sure that some people do have access to that stuff but I'd hate to be the one caught with that stuff. From what I hear it will cost you dearly.

[yakc130]

There are no drugs, alcohol, pork, or porn here in KSA.

No abuse, psych problems, homosexuality, or HIV/AIDS, either.

No worries, Cap. No offense taken. It's all good in da hood. I'll bring the beer from here.

Edited July 3, 2013 by yakc130