The President's speech...

[e3med53]

Did anyone catch Bush's speech last night when he stated something to the effect that we are attacking terrorism so that "firefighters, police and.....doctors" won't have to on the streets of America?

Gee...I feel much safer knowing that myself, as a paramedic, won't have to face responding to a terrorist attack. That job apparently jumps right to docters. But I guess it could be worse, He could have called us all "ambulance drivers".

[medicchick]

It seems to me like the FF's and LEO's get all the glory while us EMS fols get left out..... don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against them, but EMS needs more recongnition (after all, who was out there treating the injured on 9-11>).

[KLMR23]

I don't think it was meant as an intentional slight.
"Firefighter" has become a catch all term for Fire and EMS in many places, at least in the public's perspective.
"Paramedic" is often used to cover all of EMS, for that matter.
If he'd used the word "Paramedics" that still leaves out EMT-B, EMT-I and many first responders, not to mention the ER nurses, PA's and so on...(which includes my certification.)
I'm not about to take it personally.
We're all on the same team here.

[hageremtp]

I didnt get in this job to be thanked. The times it happens is great but I am not in it to seek glory. I did hear the speech, and I did notice that he stated "fire fighter, police officers, and doctors", however I didnt really give it much thought. After all he has guys write that stuff for him, so give 'em a break!

[medicchick]

I didn't get into this line of work for the thanks either. I would just like to see EMS as a whole get some more recognition.

[e3med53]

He didn't really thank anybody in his speech, He didn't give glory to anyone aside from the soldiers and who should I give a break too, him or his speech writer?
I wasn't doggin the pres. at all. It was purely an observation.

[emt259735]

The only thing I don't like about lumping EMS in with fire fighters is that independent EMS gets left out of things like the Homeland Security funds being disbursed through FEMA and the NFA. Mostly because the NFA only gives grants to fire departments. The fire department in my town doesn't want to touch EMS with a ten foot stick, and if there is a chem/bio incident we're the ones on scene not the FD. If there was equity and funding going where it's needed I'd say I wouldn't care if they called me a wheeled orderly. My $.02.

[hageremtp]

I didnt say anything about him thanking anyone. I just stated I didnt get into the job to be thanked! And the break, I think, should go the president. He didnt write the speech! Thats all......

[IAMedic]

I don't know about anyone else, but I get called "Doc" all the time. By LEO, FF's, and PHYSICIANS!! So this beats it all. The President of the United States just called me a Doctor!! ;) :D :cool:

[firemonEMT]

We all go through hell so everyone else doesn't have to. That is our job. Whether it is walking the beat as a cop, busting into the flaming houses as firefighters, or saving the coded in the back-end of a bus, we are all doing the same thing: serving the needs of the people; and if we are doing it out of personal gain rather than the love for others, we definately do not need to be doing it. And that my friends is the bottom line.

[Toering]

Hey DOC! ... Just checking?

[hageremtp]

And that my friends is the bottom line.

Because Stone Cold FiremonEMT Said So........

:D

[firemonEMT]

I didn't steal it from Stone Cold Steve Austin (although he uses that same line), I stole it from a guy name Frank Melton who has been doing a weekly video commentary named "The Bottom Line" for 15 years now and he would end his show with that line

[Ohiovolffemtp]

Yes, I caught that line from Bush's speach. I was sitting in the day room at the station where I work part-time. My reaction - this president really does understand - especially that all of us in public safety are on the front lines whenever a terrorist attack happens. I'm VERY grateful for that recognition.

Yes, the president didn't specifically mention EMS personnel, but I think we're missing the key point and playing on words when we fuss about whether he said "paramedics", etc.

If the laws don't appropriately support non fire based EMS organizations - let's work with the state legislatures and the congress to fix it.