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Last night WJLA went with a story about how 28 percent of the District's firefighters failed to pass the national registry exam for EMTs. The city's emergency responders are now required to pass the national test under an agreement reached between the District and the family of late New York Times reporter David Rosenbaum, who died due to EMT negligence. I realize that in post-Sept. 11 America, all firefighters are heroes and you're not supposed to say anything bad about them ever, but I'm about to break that rule. If you want to read some seriously whiny, high school-style complaining, read the story. Grown men who fight fires for a living took the time to tell a local TV news station that they feel this nationally accepted test wasn't fair and that the department didn't help them prepare enough. Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth Crosswhite has the most reasonable reaction: "You have to take a look at yourself in the mirror and say did I do everything that I could do to pass this test? Did I study on my own? Did I ask for help?" The department allows those who failed the exam three more chances, so buckle down and study, guys.
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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.
Perhaps they'd have an easier time with Praxis
Crybabies. I'm guessing that none of these guys needed training on how to call the WAAAHHHmbulance.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Remind me to never get attacked by a bear in DC.
Jeeze, whats next, policemen have to know the law? How dare DC expect its firefighters to know first aid?
""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.
"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.