param

Having been a volunteer firefighter and EMT-B and having taken the plunge into making EMS my full time career am now a EMT-P, i believe that there is a role for the volunteer, but it has to be a support role. How would you feel as a volunteer if i came along to your work place and decided to volunteer my services, your employer then tells you that you are not getting a raise because the volunteers are helping out and if you don't like it then hit the road. One needs to remember that this is a career for us full time employees and we all need to support our families, we do it because we love the job, however love does not feed or house or school your kids. The comment about if you don't like it then get out, is pretty narrow minded, for the following reasons, i love my job but some guys/girls can't support a family on the pay they earn so if they try to get an increase the answer is if you don't like it leave, the volunteers work for free anyway? I work in JHB South Africa, the system of education is busy changing for one to become a EMT-P, you used to be able to do short courses, Basic Ambulance Attendant, Intermediate and then Paramedic, soon the short courses will fall away and the only way to become a paramedic is for you do your Degree through the University, this helps in 2 ways: 1. We get a great education and a degree with the option of doing our Doctorate. 2. The cost will keep all the people who are not truly dedicated out of the system, you either stick around for 4 years full time study or you leave with nothing. Sorry if i offended any one, just remember we all fight to earn a better salary, why should EMS workers be any different.

Career. Worked for the municipal service and now working for a private company doing primary response.

JHB South Africa