EMT/MEDIC/ EMS Badges

[FormerEMSLT297]

Richard B,,,,,With regard to the CPMU EMT arrested; it was the NYS Criminal courts,,, the State court officers found the badge and didn't know what to do,,, the EMT tried to explain it,,,, they called NYPD,, an NYPD Sgt. Showed up and decided that it was a violation of NYC Admin. Law to have a badge that was shaped like and appeared to be a NYC Police Shield,, even though it clearly said NYS, EMT and had the members DOH number on it....

After this happened, NYS DOH came out and restated a previous policy it is posted here.

www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/ems/policy/03-08.htm

The problem contention with some people, and NYC Admin. law is this:

A patch, badge, emblem, or insignia, that reads "New York State EMT, Paramedic, whatever"

makes the asssumption or impression that the wearer is a "New York State" employee.... that was the reason that they stated the CPMU EMT was arrested, cause he isn't a NYS employee.

Hopefully this problem will be resolved, but a lawyer (prosecutor) could make the arguement that because the badge doesn't say "New York State Certified EMT" the holder is misconstruing themselves as a agent of the State of N.Y.

I don't agree with it, but if you read the Admin. law they cited, and I did at the time,, it is a F$%#ed up but accurate conclusion.

Hopefully a judge will see this for what it is,, but I still say,,, Don't carry a badge unless you carry a gun and are a Peace/Police Officer.

[Ridryder 911]

Geez.. I thought the 70's was over ! Collar brass.. what's next EMT letter bars, back to lapel pins from CPR to storks, to Extrication Specialist..

Just when we were getting over being a whacker !.. and attempting to be medical.

Sorry, if you just have to have a badge to impress yourself.. purchase one. But there is no reason or event that is helpful, or deemed warranted. Photo I.D'.'s should be required with special labeling.

With the new national DMAT and MRC guidelines in the event of a disaster, only those with photo ID's will be able to pass through the perimeter, so you can keep your badges at home..

R/r 911

[tskstorm]

okay just a few quick replies,

the reason for the badge was stated in the first post read it.

and more importantly the badge if being purchased will be purchased from a "cop shop" a police/fire/ems uniform store, and they require proof of certification, proof of who you are bla bla bla, and it is custom ordered.

i mean if these badges have no weight why is there even such a procedure? ...

note: this wouldnt be a badge with pretty pictures or custom wording, it is a ny patrolman or ny detective badge, that say emergency medical technician and have the ny state seal. and then your doh number. it doesnt say ny state, and wouldnt be used except when on duty.

[Dustdevil]

i mean if these badges have no weight why is there even such a procedure? ...

Most likely because after years of dealing with wankers, these stupid broads have come to believe that real ambulance drivers carry badges.

Perpetuating the lie is not the answer.

This is just another example of a problem in EMS that could easily be solved through education.

[Lone Star]

It all boils down to this:

Regardless of where you order the badge at, what it says or doesent say, the bad guys aren't going to stop to read the 'fine print' on the badge. They're going to see a shiny object pinned to your shirt, and react as though you're a cop. (I've worked Detroit, and seen this with my own eyes)

You've listened to those of us with years of experience, but the bottom line is this......you want the badge, you feel that there's a 'need' for the badge, and no matter what we say here, you'll order that badge .... mainly because you've already 'justified' it in your own mind.

EMS wearing a badge is akin to the hobby cop security guards walking around with every gadget known to man hanging off their duty belts. It serves no real purpose, but it makes them feel 'important' and looks cool to their friends.

When I worked down in New Orleans after the hurricanes, I saw many 'security guards' buying up Security Enforcement Officer badges....and then was amazed at how many had been hurt while making their rounds in the dark.

[hfdff422]

If you custom order it, make sure you put wanker somewhere on it. :roll:

You understand that any badge you have to purchase is just as good as the "junior deputy" ones the SD's give out at the fairs, right? You have to show proof of age to buy liquor, so showing ID is just a formality. If your service thought they were worth the metal they are made from, they would issue you one.

As a firefighter, I only wear my issued badge as part of the dress uniforms, otherwise my actual ID is all I need. If I was not issued a badge, I wouldn't have the balls to purchase one from fear of having my butt kicked for being a dork.

[DwayneEMTP]

If I was not issued a badge, I wouldn't have the balls to purchase one from fear of having my butt kicked for being a dork.

There is not a snowball's chance in hell this kid is going to listen to anyone here...but this quote made the whole thread worth while anyway!

tskstorm, get your badge. Just know that while it make make you feel special, (No one is really buying the "I can't get my paperwork signed without it crap) everyone that matters in EMS will be laughing at you, either to your face, or behind your back. If respect as a professional is not on your short list of things to accomplish in these few short years we call life...well, then I guess you might really need a badge.

Good luck to you...

Dwayne

[FormerEMSLT297]

okay just a few quick replies,

the reason for the badge was stated in the first post read it.

and more importantly the badge if being purchased will be purchased from a "cop shop" a police/fire/ems uniform store, and they require proof of certification, proof of who you are bla bla bla, and it is custom ordered.

i mean if these badges have no weight why is there even such a procedure? ...

note: this wouldnt be a badge with pretty pictures or custom wording, it is a ny patrolman or ny detective badge, that say emergency medical technician and have the ny state seal. and then your doh number. it doesnt say ny state, and wouldnt be used except when on duty.

The answer to your questions are as follows:

1. ".....If these badges have no weight why is there even such a procedure" So the cop shops can make MONEY!!!!!!!! Duh, that was a hard one to answer.

2. "It doesn't say New York State..." YES IT DOES,, the NYS SEAL says "State of New York" on it, or around it. And even if it is only the seal with the usual writing DELETED, it still has the NYS seal on it and you DO NOT WORK FOR New York State.

You just made the prosecutors point for him IT HAS THE NYS SEAL, and looks like a Patrolman BADGE,,, what the F@#, don't you understand..... BUY the badge don't buy the badge,, do WHATEVER YOU WANT, you are going to anyway,,, I am done trying to keep you out of trouble, You're not a cop, you don't need a badge, save the money and buy something useful with it. Like a brain.

My thouhgts are my own and do not represent my agency, company or dept.

[Laura Anne]

I wear a badge at my full time job due to the fact it's part of the required uniform; if I don't have it on, I go home w/o pay, simple. :roll:

Now if you want to buy one on your own, be my guest. If you think it'll bring you more recognition...sure it will. You'll have every kid coming up to you and asking if you're a police man. I know, it happens to me all friggin day long. :roll: :x Honestly, I'd rather see you spend their money on a good stethoscope or other useful piece of equipment that'll be of good use on the streets. Perhaps use your money for a more professional looking EMS attire? Buy a nice pair of boots/shoes, or maybe a T-shirt with EMS on it? Just some thoughts for you....

I personally don't think I'd ever purchase my own EMS badge.....it's kinda like those EMS providers that buy those obnoxious stickers and plaster every last inch of paint with them and every corner of each window of their car, blue lights for their dash, light bars on top of their cars, in their grills, and where ever else they can shove one on their car. Oh and lets not forget the personalized license plates, all shiny and new, kinda like the personal bunker gear they purchased on line for a deal that'll probably never get used in a real situation. I once knew of a WHACKER EXTRAORDINAIRE who had a suture kit on his wacker belt.

Yes, that's right....a suture kit. Don't ask.

[becksdad]

"BATCHES?...... WE DON'T NEED NO STEENKING BATCHES!!!"

.... you probably have to be kind of old to remember that movie line. Apropos nonetheless.