Volunteerism in EMS
Following “Other News” for July 10th we read the following linked story as quoted from the CBC:
“All eight active members of the Watson Lake (Yukon, Canada) volunteer ambulance service tendered their resignations Monday morning, notifying officials from the town and the nearby Liard First Nation that they would not be providing service beyond 10 a.m. PT.”
There are two other members of this service that are currently on medical leave.
Even ten years ago in Canada it was thought that you were a bad medic if you didn’t sacrifice all things personal for EMS. This included not only your own time, but also your health since you dared not “abuse your sick time” if you were lucky enough to have such a negotiated benefit.
And then there was your family. “They must understand that you are in such a noble profession that they have to expect to sacrifice any semblance of a normal family lifestyle whenever the service beckons you.” I’m not sure if anyone has ever embarked upon a study of divorce rates and infidelity among EMS workers, but the results might prove very telltale. The personal sacrifices we make as proud professionals have revealed a toll taken on those around us as our profession has aged.
As at Watson Lake, and in large urban services, there are simply not enough staff/resources to keep utilization rates at a healthy level. And it is only getting worse. Additional staff and units are often a reactionary measure rather then a proactive step.
Over a decade ago, the Canada Health Act directed that all Canadians should have equal access to timely health services. Somehow, EMS has not been made to live up to that directive. One might suggest that an emphasis on EMS as an extension of fire services has de-emphasized the role of the medic in the provision of health services. It is time for all levels of government to realize that, like policing in Canada, well trained and paid EMS professionals are a critical link in the provision of health services.
To the former volunteers of Watson Lake, thank you for your dedication. Keep your families healthy and happy as the rest of us watch to see if the responsible authorities will step up to the plate. You are an inspiration to us all and your plight will offer a good indication of where EMS is going in Canada.
