I simply cannot believe that this is still going on! I shook my head when I read the first story, but now this has just gone into the realm of the unbelievable. (See story at the bottom of this post.)
Who in their right mind, with any common sense whatsoever, thinks it's an intelligent idea to send an untrained, unprotected, and unarmed person into a violent crime scene?
People who choose public safety as a career generally have the same personality type and often participate in more than one area. I know many people who choose EMS, fire, or law enforcement as a career and do one or both of the others either part-time or as a volunteer.
However, there are just as many people who choose one segment of public safety as a career and have absolutely zero interest in being involved in any other area.
EMS, firefighting, and law enforcement serve three very distinct and separate functions in public safety and someone who chooses to devote themselves to one should not be EXPECTED to cross over into another.
Even though it occasionally happens when they arrive on scene first, we don't EXPECT law enforcement officers to go into burning buildings and rescue people without training, turnout gear, and respiratory protection. EXPECTING an EMS person to enter a violent crime scene without training, body armor, and weapons is no different.
There aren't very many of them around, but if Mr. Stokes REALLY expects people to serve in dual or even triple roles, he should visit the Ashwaubenon Department of Public Safety in Wisconsin.
Public Safety Officer
Position Description:A Public Safety Officer performs the following duties of law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire fighting during a 24-hour shift. Officers are State certified law enforcement officers, certified Fire Fighter II, and either an EMT or Paramedic. Each workday is a 24-hour shift beginning at 7:00 a.m., during which they are assigned an 8 hour police patrol shift with the other 16 hours being assigned as primary fire or EMS response. Career advancement is available with such special assignments as: Investigations, Police/School Liaison, Fire or Crime Prevention, Arson Investigator, DAAT/Firearms Instructor, DARE Officer, and others. The Ashwaubenon Department of Public Safety is a full-service agency and the only such agency in the State of Wisconsin. A Public Safety Officer I starts out as a Night Shift Officer for a maximum of three calendar years or until they have basic police, fire, and rescue certifications obtained and there is an opening on a 24-hour shift. The salary range for year 2009 is starting Public Safety Officer I, $48,131 to top Public Safety Officer III (Paramedic) $67,029.
However, does Mr. Stokes have any idea how much it would cost to train people to this level? And even his "If you're concerned about safety, put on a bullet-proof vest," comment would be an extremely expensive option! Just looking at Gall.com for a reference, good body armor is around $529.99.
Hopefully, the citizens of Jackson, MI will be intelligent enough to vote Mr. Stokes out of office next time! I vote we send HIM out to take care of these violent situations since he obviously knows more than the rest of us that have been doing it for years!
WOW! I just looked this guy up and he has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice! That makes it even less understandable! Opinions anyone?
Battle Over EMS Response to Crime Scenes in Miss.
Posted: October 29th, 2010 09:31 AM EDT
JACKSON, Miss. --There's a debate raging in Jackson about the role paramedics and emergency responders play in responding to a crime scene.
City Councilman Kenneth Stokes has threatened to reverse the contract American Medical Response has to serve in the area if the company doesn't send its workers into violent crime scenes, even before police arrive.
On any given night, police will respond to a crime scene and an AMR ambulance will be found nearby -- waiting for an all-clear to respond and provide medical attention. It is a practice and a policy that has irked some city of Jackson leaders who now argue that AMR shouldn't wait for anything.
Ken Walters is an AMR paramedic who said he's seen enough dangerous situations, just waiting to go into them in Jackson. He provided 16 WAPT News with an example.
"Isn't there implied risk as an EMT that you are supposed to assume some forms of risk?" WAPT's Scott Simmons asked Walters.
"Yes, but not where your life is in danger, because we are there to provide aid, comfort and aid, and take someone to the hospital. You know, this isn't the military," Walters said.
Stokes has been the loudest critic. He said if AMR is going to take taxpayer money to provide service, that service should not come with restraints.
"If you are concerned about safety, put on a bullet proof vest," Stokes said. "I think the contract is what we're going to get because you can't sit up here in the capital city of Jackson, Miss. and say, 'We're going to let people die.'"
Stokes may have a problem with AMR, but there is little city leaders can do about its contract for service in this area. That is something the city of Jackson gave up to Hinds County in 1990.
AMR spokesman Jim Pollard defended the company's policy. "We have letters from two national organizations," Pollard said. Nowhere does it say that paramedics are supposed to go into crime scenes before police do, Pollard said.
"In the national standard material, it says very simply, regarding violent scenes, scenes should always been secured by law enforcement before EMTs provide patient care," Pollard said.
"We're there as part of the solution," Walters said. "We go in there and we get hurt, we get injured, then we become part of the problem."
Stokes said the argument is not over.
"I think we have got a fight. That is just round one of a heavyweight bout," Stokes said. Walters and others at AMR are hoping they can continue the policy of letting police go into a violent crime scene before they do.
