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Medic's carrying a pistol????
I know down by Detroit there are medic's carrying pistols for protection and even bullet proof jackets, but does anyone else know of city's that are doing the same thing or even fire departments that have some sort of protection like a bullet proof jacket. this seems to be a growing concern out there for everyone, just wanted to see your view on this issue.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Firebug1978 on
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Our department has really considered the vests. I had a partner last year that pulled on scene of a domestic dispute to find a man laying on the ground from an apparent gunshot as she went to assess the patient a man stepped up and asked if our patient was still alive and she said that the man needed to step back and he asked again if the patient was alive and she said she could not give him any information and he pointed a gun at her head and said to turn and walk away and she wouldnt get hurt. And she turned to walk away towards the poilce and he shot the patient four more times in the head and torso. That is just the tip of the ice burgh of what we get in Youngstown, Ohio.
We need something to protect our employees when something like this arises.
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Permalink Reply by Shanna Davis on
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I belong to a rural combination department. I would say that probably 3/4 of the membership and paid staff combined have their concealed carry permits. I'm one of the few that does not. It is against department policy to carry while on duty but most of them do it anyway. There is at least one person on every crew night that is usually carrying. We don't always have SO to back us up on some calls. We have to make a judgement call on whether we feel we should go in or not. This is why many of the members carry on our dept.
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Permalink Reply by Mick Shelley on
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Shoot Em, Treat Em, Transport Em, it's almost like bundling the package, all for
a discounted price. What the hell is going on, the answer is NO
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Permalink Reply by Don Horn on
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hey t j
I do know of a medic in northern michigan that carrys on duty not sure why but he does every day
I wonder if it isa good Idea for medics to carry at all, isn't that the job of our brothers in blue?
perjaps we all need togo back tothe basics ,scene safty review dispach call for help
I am just as bad as anyone the care of the person frist then look around lets see where this goes
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Permalink Reply by Jake Fireman on
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I guess my main questions on this topic are...
" If you are a firefighter, EMT, paramedic on a call and you feel the need to carry a weapon, or the need to pull that weapon in that situation are you
A.) In a situation you should not be in
B.) Trained in ALL aspects of LEGAL force
C.) Willing to put yourself in the 'aftermath' of a shooting
D.) Making the situation better or worse
E.) ALL OF THE ABOVE
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YES Capt723...like I said at the begining of this post...get rid of the "water cannon" Add a real one!!!
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Permalink Reply by Ed Cunningham on
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so I'm standing at the pharmacy window getting Rx restock and a guy, who I had seen numerous times at the hospital working as a maintenance worker, walks up to me and says.. "hey Holme's... some Sh-- is goin down tonight so you guys watch out." I stared at him for a moment trying to decide if he was joking or not and eventually replied "Why? What's up?" I had known that he was a former gang member in our city and that he had been clean and out of prison for a few years but didn't know how serious to take it. he further explaind that a rival gang membe rhad put a gun in his Mom's face and that they were retaliating that night. We had run on several of his boys for GSW's and stabbings before and the members seemed to respect us and leave us alone. But in truth when we ended up with 2 stabbings and 1 GSW that night. Every time the tones went off we couldn't help but wonder who was going to be on scene and how truly safe the scene could ever be.... Great discussion. I would like to at least carry Tazers though off duty I carry concealed.
sorry so long.
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Permalink Reply by Jason McDonald on
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Remember when you were taking your EMT, First Responder, or Basic First Aid classes and the instructor said "before you enter the scene, make sure it is safe"? Well, that was a long time ago that I took that class and yet I still follow that rule, our brothers in blue are awesome and they have a job to do.
I did a Masters Degree in Ohio and I remember the heavy parties and mandatory car and couch burnings when the Buckeyes won or lost a game (insane fans) but still never went near the scene because it was unsafe.
It sucks but sometime you need to leave the patient alone for a while and let the guys in blue make sure its safe for us. I hate not treating a patient but if the medic is killed, then a lot of people will not receive the care they need.
Be smart when responding to scenes, I am also licensed to carry but I do not carry on duty since thats not my job. Off duty is another story, I would drive a tank around if I could afford one. Preferably a big fast one like a M1A2 Abrams. Pull up to work in tank, I would never worry about finding a parking spot.
Be careful everyone,
-J
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Permalink Reply by T.J. on
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Not yet at least and I hope it never comes that far, but this was a topic that I saw a long time ago so I thought I'd throug hit out here and see where it goes.
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Permalink Reply by Matt Holt on
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Good discussions all around!!! As former Law Enforcement, and with 11 years in the fire service, I see both sides of this... I "grew up" as a medic in a tough area, where it wasnt abnormal to work multiple shootings/stabbings a night, and have P.D. officers standing in a circle around the patient with shotguns holding back the crowd till we could package and go - often just working otw to the ER. We all purchased our own vests back then, and even tho I was/am licensed to carry a firearm (and always do when Im off duty - by permit), I am of the thought that it is a bad idea to carry while in the role of a healthcare/emergency services provider. The day that the "bad element" determines that Fire/EMS is a threat or is armed, I feel that we will shift from a tolerated 'nuciance' to another example of something they should attack. It also goes back to what we ALL learn from EMR courses, to the highest level - scene safety - if the scene goes bad, instead of having the capability to "draw down" and defend the area (which is already unfamiliar and not our 'turf') we are taught to leave equipment and withdraw from the scene... This is the easiest and safest in more aspect than one - we have wihdrawn from the situation, and created no more patients (First, do no harm). Even FEMA and Homeland Security us this in Task Force deployments now - NO ONE is to be armed unless designated as Force Protection - even if they are law enforcement or are licensed to carry a weapon. It all boils down to rapid assessment of the scene and determination of need for law enforcement - if necessary, withdrawing from the scene until it's secured. Again, this is just my two cents worth, and opinion... Great topic tho!
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Permalink Reply by Tim Frederick on
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this is not a big problem in my town because its so small and my ambulance corp discourges the use of firearms on the property but i have heard of EMT's and Medics's carrying down in Albany which i dont think is a bad idea espically since one of the medic's i know said he had a close incounter with someone just looking to harm him. i mean really you have enough to worry about just taking care of the patient let alone worrying if someone is going to take your life because your doing your job. i feel there does need to be some sort of self defence weather its a pistal or some other weapon. and i do agree with leaving the patient untill the boys in blue get there and the scene is safe im mainly talking about when you have a patient in the back of the rig with no police around and their intention is to harm you. my opinion though
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Permalink Reply by Paul Everson on
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It is stressed over and over "Scene Security" If there is any question have dispatch start a squad that way. I ask for one anytime things don't sound right when being dispatched and even ask for one if you get on the scene if there are issues. It is always better to cancel them then to wish you had called for them.
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