I will tell you this folks

[nadinbrzezinski]

EMS people are special. Who among you would volunteer to go down a rescue shaft? I know I would... but now many people would?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

1. And the pay sucks so they aren't doing it to get rich n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. In my case... what pay?

But that is true, most EMTs around the world get paid badly, if at all.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

7. My husband left the army EMT certified with combat experience

He laughed when I suggested back when he first got out that he become an EMT.

You'd think that level of training and experience would be in demand. I guess not. I didn't realize how little the professional side is paid.

Good on you for volunteering.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. When somebody suggested I do it in Cali

no thank you.

The lawsuit threats were enough...

Five years later two EMT-P from LAFD told the judge that only when folks called 911 and nobody responded, they'd realize that 'haps them lawsuits were ahem excessive.

And yes, I got threats of them, for STOOPID reasons from Americans who thought they'd get rich.

So yes I understand your husband. I did it in TJ, I had (we red cross medics are NUTS), also some combat experience (Yes the shootings with the cartels qualify... hey I got to see some toys that really made me shake my head. Trust me, the Press has not shown all the toys the cartels have... Sidewinders anyone?)

Yet, you could not pay me enough to do it in California... you really couldn't.

[MadMaddie]

2. I would do it too

I am just now finishing "CERT" training for disasters. It's been a very good education.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Good for you

[CBR]

4. I agree. +1000 nt

[pinboy3niner]

6. Worse, to me, is having to deal with traumatic injuries

And to carry the burden of guilt for those whom you could not save. It's the curse of the emergency caregiver, and it's traumatic for those who take on responsibility for that work.

Going down a mineshaft is nothing compared to the other parts of the job.

[Vickers]

8. I'm too queasy and cowardly to do any kind of rescue work. n/t