This past weekend, I had the opportunity to ride with the North Las Vegas Fire Department while at EMS Expo. In addition to learning how they operate, my experience with Station 54 A Shift highlighted something that’s been in the back of my mind for a while. We keep asking ourselves why EMS continues to flounder and why the fire service is seen as full of heroes.
From years of observing both the fire service and non-fire based EMS, I’ve observed a general rule. Of course, as a lawyer, I realize there are exceptions to every rule. Generally speaking though, the fire service sees themselves in the problem solving business. EMS sees itself in the transport business.
And if you’re only in one business, pretty soon that’s your solution to every problem given to you.
Lets become problem solvers. Community paramedicine may be a first step along that path.
