An important message from Toms River Township Professional EMS IAFF Local 4846

Not to downplay any emergency profession, but for decades we as a society stood by our police and fire as they put their lives at risk to help and save our communities. For decades the emergency medical profession has wanted to be recognized for their need in the community and has been faced with criticism with remarks as “it’s not really that dangerous for them” or “the work is different”. Now police and fire are staying away from the scene unless there is an immediate life threat, as they should. There is no need to expose them for no reason, but your BLS ambulance and ALS paramedics are coming in to take care of you. You may be thinking, “so what, it’s their job”. Just take this into consideration.

This virus is deadly to the elderly and those already in poor health. The EMT/paramedic is legally obligated to come and take you to the hospital. They are not allowed to decline you services. They are now exposed. They may not get sick, but they go home and expose their husbands and wives who may have poor immune systems. They may still live with or take care of their parents who now may become sick and die. This is not just isolated to the corona virus, but to the flu, hepatitis, TB, Ebola, etc., etc., etc. Of course, they take precautions, but things happen. Sometimes people lie about their conditions, sometimes equipment fails, sometimes mistakes are made.

If things go wrong on the job with police they may be shot and killed, things go wrong in a fire they may be trapped and burned to death, things go wrong with EMS they may potentially
kill their entire family. It won’t be quick either. They will watch their family slowly waste away in pain and agony until their last breath, knowing they were the reason for their families demise.

Paramedics in the US average 35,000 -55,000 a year. EMT’s average 30,000-45,000 a year. No pension, health benefits often only cover the employee, not the family, and sometimes they still have to contribute. Almost all EMT’S and Paramedics have been assaulted on the job. They are exposed to disease, blood, and other colorful bodily fluids.

If we learn anything about the current situation in this country, learn that all emergency services are important, all emergency services work together and help each other, and all emergency services should be treated as equals. There is a huge shortage of EMTs and Paramedics in this country as it is not financially feasible to make a career out of it. In New Jersey your town is not even legally obligated to provide ambulance services. They must have police and fire coverage of some sort, but not ambulance. Image your loved one dying, you calling 911, and a police car and fire truck show up, but no ambulance.

It would be great if after this corona pandemic blows over that a movement is made to get the local, state, and federal governments together to finally recognize and treat the emergency medical services the way they should be treated.

The work is different.