I work as a Paramedic and EMS instructor for a living. I'm getting paid for saving lives. I also volunteer with a local EMS organization helping community and new EMTs. Only few states have the law that makes it mandatory for EMS professional to stop at the scene and render care. I think in NYC the only way you are obligated to render care is if you are in your uniform or your car has First Responder markings but all those rules go out the window if you are a volunteer. Based on my NYC experience there is nothing you can do about the gentleman (EMT/Paramedic) who passed the scene and didn’t provide care. It happens here everyday and it is a reason for high tension between some agencies. I’m talking about Hatzalah Jewish Volunteer Ambulance which is very selective in their assignments and is known to treat non-critical pts who are of certain faith prior to critical pts who aren’t. Or bypass accidents that involve a creamed delivery man all over the intersection because he was Chinese. EMS community who tries to raise complaints is always told to drop them and nobody was ever successful. As a matter of fact certain “first responders” happen to try to pull you over with their cars and still there is nothing that can be done. Happened to me and I got PD involved and the minute they heard “discrimination” only warning was issued while somebody else would get few months in jail for impersonation.

Also reason why people don’t get involved is liability. We live in the era where everyone is happy to sue somebody. And to be honest I will be more than happy to pull over and render care to seriously injured/ill but I stay away from bs. Also you have to remember that EMS is a job and you are not a paramedic 24/7. There is life outside your work. If agency that is responsible for your area has unit in service and you are off let others do their work and you go about your normal life. If I wanted to pull over and render care every time I go out I would never get anywhere because there is about 2 car accidents I pass everyday. But than again people say that if it was your family you would want somebody there asap. Yes it’s true but you have to draw a line somewhere and let others do their job. What I wrote applies in the big system and place like NYC. Other places may be different especially if they are volunteer only. Also above doesn’t apply during disasters. When Winnies Poo starts flying we all get to play with Eyore and Pigglet whenever we like it or not .

In short if you know the guy, walk up to him and say what you really think. It hurts more when you tell somebody the truth face to face than if you bring legal system into action. Probably the best to follow “duty to act” story is what happened to New Orleans PD during Katrina and disciplinary action being taken against those who left.