DCist: Firefighters Whine About Test

Hillman

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:32:09 -0500

"This isn't Little League. We don't give out trophies for participation." Very true. The considerable majority of fire departments now require firefighters to be cross trained as either EMTs or actual paramedics. If people don't like this they need to find another profession. I took the basic EMT test. It wasn't that hard.

smj

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:47:28 -0500

""It was definitely a wakeup call because by no means have I ever considered myself a failure. I still don't. It was just one of those things. It was an unfortunate event and I did the best I could," said Evan Pace who was also terminated." - Do you think that's what he'd say to the family of sommeone who dies because he wasn't prepared and trained enough? 'Best i could' doesn't cut it in fires and medical emergencies. This isn't Little League. We don't give out trophies for participation.

headhot

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:34:36 -0500

Jeeze, whats next, policemen have to know the law? How dare DC expect its firefighters to know first aid?

ist full of dollars

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:14:59 -0500

Remind me to never get attacked by a bear in DC.

Henry Krinkle

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:27:13 -0500

The problem here is the firefighting culture. I was a volunteer EMT in PG County for about 4 years. I chose to do EMS Only because I had no interest in firefighting (yeah, riding the engine on a call is exciting, but those other guys can run into the burning buildings!) At my firehouse, everyone had to finish EMT Basic before even starting firefighter training. A lot of firefighters (more than half I knew) hated having to take it, and hated the ambulance. It's some kind of macho thing where the ambo is seen as wimpy and fire is a man's job. What many people don't realize is that EMS takes a lot more thinking and reacting to a situation than putting out a fire. Don't get me wrong - I have lots of respect for the job those guys do, and it can be very dangerous, but on every call I went on I had to approach the scene and patient in a way (following protocols) that could be unique every time. A simple looking car crash could be something much more serious. Someone in pain on a medical call could have a serious, life threatening condition. One of the chiefs at my station (who was a paramedic for something like 15 years) told me that nobody sues firefighters because they're considered heroes, but EMT's are very easy to sue if something goes wrong. You can do everything right, by the book, but if you forget to document something, a crafty lawyer can easily take you to court for a lot of money. It would be nice if they could completely separate fire and EMS, but a firefighter has to know basic assessment, treatment and transport. And I have to disagree that the EMS Basic course is easy. It's a lot of work, and includes biology, anatomy, administering several medications, and knowing how to deal with a situation - usually involving a patient who is a complete stranger. The Maryland course involves lots of written tests, and practical exams. From what I understand, the national test is even harder.

Wizzyliz

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:15:35 -0500

David Rosenbaum's family just wants an EMT to know the difference between a drunk man and a dying man. And asking EMTs to pass a freaking test is worth the family dropping a $20 million lawsuit against the city. Maybe!

dcguvworker

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:21:47 -0500

The National Registry exam is computer-based, similar to the GRE. All questions are multiple choice. All these guys need to do is pass the EMT-Basic exam, not for the more difficult Intermediate and Paramedic ones. Failing it more than once is crazy - I passed my first time and studied only a few hours a day prior to the exam. It's all quite basic - airway, breathing, and circulation. Those who can't pass should be kicked to the curb, no doubt!

turboslut

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:45:40 -0500

The National Registry really isn't that hard. If you actually study for even a modicum of time there's no reason you can't pass it.

hillvada

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:43:54 -0500

If you ever want to hear how bad things really are at the Fire-EMS Dept, sit next to a veteran DC firefighter at a bar in Southern Maryland (that's where most of them live). Not being able to pass an exam is, sadly, the tip of the iceberg.

Jim D

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:37:29 -0500

Crybabies. I'm guessing that none of these guys needed training on how to call the WAAAHHHmbulance.

downtown rez

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:17:02 -0500

Perhaps they'd have an easier time with Praxis

IMGoph

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:14:51 -0500

hoooweeee, you're gonna get some letters on this one, i'm sure. for the record, i agree. this is a straight meritocracy question here. either you "have the right stuff", or you don't.