Should we go back to Drivers ?

[crotchitymedic1986]

As you are aware, I have predicted a fairly gloomy 2009 for EMS, and if you read the thread "is EMS recession proof", you will note that some predictions are starting to come true. I think as we approach summer time, most municipalities will have a difficult time paying for ambulance servie, and a great many of our patients will be unemployed and uninsured. The private and hospital based services are already struggling.

This may call for drastic action, in order to keep services afloat for the next two years. My thoughts are that maybe we should go back to just having "drivers" on the ambulance, maybe with an EMTI or Paramedic partner. This way, we could open jobs up to all these unemployed folks, keep our ambulances manned with lower payroll (maybe have medics on rover cars).

I know your first thought is, that would destroy EMS, and on some levels you are right, but sometimes you have to amputate the limb to save the body.

Your thoughts, or alternatives.

[WolfmanHarris]

We already have this in Ontario, they're called private transfer services. They have poorly trained staff, in old decommissioned ambulances in an entirely unregulated indsutry. No room for them in EMS though as the minimum level to work on an Ambulance in Ontario is PCP. So if those unemployed people would like to go to college for two years...

It's not hard to get to a Basic cert and it doesn't take long. Heck with how Basics are paid in many places I'm not sure how much smaller payroll could get.

[crotchitymedic1986]

The wage really isnt the issue, it would be getting these thousands of unemployed back employed quickly. They would just need a driver's license and some on the job training. Over time, we could mandate they take some training to become certified. We are an industry that is short of personnel, would be a win-win for the short term.

[spenac]

The wage really isnt the issue, it would be getting these thousands of unemployed back employed quickly. They would just need a driver's license and some on the job training. Over time, we could mandate they take some training to become certified. We are an industry that is short of personnel, would be a win-win for the short term.

Actually you would make the basics be unemployed so really just replaced one low paid worker with another. At least the basic should know the name of the equipment I request so they can go get what I need.

[crotchitymedic1986]

I am not saying it would be painful, but it would be for the good of the world's economy. Did you read how many layoffs were announced this week between Home Depot and Microsoft alone. I predict all of the big "mall" department stores will be next. If america gets into a true depression, the whole world will suffer.

[spenac]

But again you are saying lay off half the ambulance crew and replace with drivers. Still equal number of unemployed you did not solve anything.

Now if we developed a driver specialist and required two medical professionals in the patient compartment you just added a whole lot of jobs. Plus for serious patients you have made sure there are two sets of hands and two brains to ensure proper patient care.

[crotchitymedic1986]

No, i am not saying get rid of emtbs, even with them, we still have a shortage. I imagine this would drive their salaries down. We could do the same in nursing as far as hospitals and doctors offices too, alot of the patient care that they performed could be done by a non-RN.

[TDP]

Hire a professional driver and have 2 Paramedics in the back delivering pt care.....sounds great to me. Surely it wont comply with the budget....

[spenac]

As you are aware, I have predicted a fairly gloomy 2009 for EMS, .

Actually I brought this up before you did. Just figured I'd keep you from taking credit for my idea. Thanks.

But I think it would be better that we require 2 medics in patient compartment and require a driver specialist. Yes wuld increase budgets but if Fed were to fund this third position to help the economy no worrys. Plus would be be better than just giving people welfare.

[DwayneEMTP]

It sounds like you're saying there is a shortage of basics to staff ambulances, and that allowing drivers would fill those slots, creating jobs without eliminating any, and be good for all?

Maybe this is a Canadian issue, as in the U.S. there are more basics than trees. Maybe we could ship you some of ours? :wink:

Dwayne