2008 Contract Passes

Exactly. Unfortunately, for quite a period of time, EMS was represented by the fire union, which effectively threw us under the bus to improve the contract for the firefighters.

Yes, some of us do need more exercise - but given the crushing amount of unscheduled OT that has been forced upon us, and the long hours of sitting and waiting in a vehicle, with nothing to do but much and read, it's not surprising that we aren't in better shape. We often don't have the luxury of even eating halfway decent - since we are humping from run to run and having to grab food when we can. But yes, I agree, we could all do better at that.

Remember, when it comes to basic training, it's a lot more required hours, and then ride time, for paramedics than the other public safety disciplines - and we usually have to get that training on our own time, unless we are lucky enough to have a supportive employer who sponsors us for medic school.