Is There A Hero In The Hall?
When we as emergency workers lend ourselves to public events or charitable causes, it is not that we are heroic for doing so. It is more likely that consideration of our “celebrity” status can get the cause more press time. This is not necessarily a bad thing.
The litmus test of a hero vs a celebrity might be found by asking the question “who does the PR benefit?” The more a PR event self promotes an emergency service it would more clearly be seen as a celebrity event. If an event focuses on the cause and downplays the contributer, this event might be performed by an “unsung hero.”
For example: If a local department hosts a blood donor clinic, they are are using their celebrity status to assist the cause. Announcing it as an emergency services’ blood donor clinic certainly has a positive PR spin for the department so it is not entirely selfless. Blood recipients consider the real heros to be the people who gave the “gift of life.” Through a strict but discreet screening process, the donor remains anonymous. The anonymous donor becomes a personal hero to every blood recipient.
When we show up at an emergency call we are not only announced and recognized, there is an expectation of us to do our job. There may be some argument as to the validity of hero status if we perform our duties while away from work at an opportunity that finds someone in dire need. If we are ill equipped to handle the emergency but, nevertheless, do so at our own risk or peril, then we might be on the road to heroic status. Some might argue that we are professionals 24/7 and have an obligation while others may argue that for a medic, we might border on malpractice if practicing outside of our own sandbox.
As a wholly unrelated conclusion to this weeks blog, have a good Friday the 13th. It will likely be a busy day, largely due to it being a payday rather than the superstition associated with the date. There are people effected with a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th. The term for them is Paraskevidekatriaphobics. If they’ve seen the medics in the last Friday the 13th movie, who can blame them for being a little uneasy when we show up.
Thursday
During times of political instability or social unrest, when the security of a nation or its’ individuals may be being undermined, an increase in heroic figures is born of a need for healthy role models. While emergency services can readily provide mythical figures at which to direct heroic recognition, the title of hero has perhaps become confused with that of celebrity.
“A celebrity is a widely-recognized or famous person who commands a high degree of public and media attention.” Wikipedia.
Emergency services workers are not heros. They are just people doing their jobs in the public eye. Sometimes this can mistakenly lead to celebrity status but should never be confused with “Hero.” To do so is to devalue the extraordinary actions of a true hero.
Wednesday
“Sometimes a person might achieve a high enough status to become courageous in people’s minds. This often leads to a rapid growth of myths around the person(s) in question, often attributing him or her with extraordinary powers.” Wikipedia on Hero.
We, as emergency services personnel, are very quick to support colleagues when they suffer tragedy or loss. And rightly so. We realize that it could have been us, but are thankful that it wasn’t. The above quote from Wikipedia might explain though how media coverage of these events might encourage the public to think of us as extraordinary. Dare we believe it? Every time I hear someone say “I don’t know how you do your job, I couldn’t!,” a little voice tells me that they think I’m extraordinary and therefore I should as well.
It bothers me though because I know it is not true. I’ve been trained to do a job and it is my job that I do. If I get especially good at doing the job, it is still just what I do on my job.
Tuesday
Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, suggests that a hero is the embodiment of all things good and noble amongst us. Of primary importance is the hero’s eagerness to make self sacrifices for a greater cause. A “tragic” hero can possess a crucial flaw which might lead to his downfall.
This weeks’ blog will take a closer look at the use of the term hero and consider whether it applies to the emergency services. Your comments can be included in the topic by emailing them to Editor@Paramedic-Network-News.com
