I I saw CNN reports indicated that many EMS, paramedics weren't paid a decent wages during Katrina crisis by the companies or government. Was the katrina disaster an islolated incident?

Why were the paramedics, EMS personnel were treated so badly?

This isn't a problem with Katrina. It is a problem with EMS in general in the US. Most medics are paid very, very low wages. EMS is a job you do for service not for money.

What were they paid? Do you remember any of the details? I would guess that, like most other professions in the US, paramedics are paid what the market will bear. Is that "high enough"? Probably not, but you can say the same thing about teachers, policemen, and soldiers.

How much do they make in Canada?

CNN, the PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. News Network, as usual, spins their reporting. I know for a fact that "govenrment" paid EMS were paid their GS rating, as with any deployment. I know because I was there, and I got my paychecks just like I always do.

We can argue until the cows come home if my GS rating is adequate, but it was no different just because it was Katrina.

I was living in Gulfport, Ms, right on the beach, just before Katrina hit. I'm not one to wait for someone to rescue me so I got out 3 days before it hit. I didn't lose much in the way of material things , just the house I was living in. I think too many people take EMTs and firemen for granted. They should make a lot more money than they do. I for one, would like to say THANK YOU for all those that help in emergencies. It can't be said enough.

Career Emergency Services Providers are grossly underpaid for their services. In most areas (of the US) these individuals are paid though municipal governments that use your tax dollars to pay for salaries and equipment. If you want to do something, make your voices heard by contacting your local officials and making a strong clear point that you support these providers and want to make sure they are appropriately compensated for their labors and risk to their lives.

In addition, most of the Emergency Providers in the US, at least outside the larger cities and towns are volunteers, who receive no pay. You can help these individuals by providing finical support through their fund raising activities (bingo, pancake breakfasts, dinners, carnivals, etc.) and by the giving of yourself. Join up, obtain the training and support your community by sharing the load. Even if you are reluctant or unable to become active as an operational member, there are many jobs, such fund raining, bookkeeping, rehab and hundreds of other essential duties that must be performed to keep the organization vital.

Many are involved because of family tradition, the social structure of their communities, the desire for community involvement and while it is likely none of them are in it to be heralded as “heroes”, they are and remain the first line of defense in times of trouble. Everyone benefits and appreciates an occasional “pat on the back” so say “Hi” and a big smiley “Thanks” the next time you run into them, it will make their day and didn’t cost you a dime.


Pete

Pete- Couldn't have said it better.

I do what I do because I love it. We can argue all day about "what the market can bare". But when a Medic makes less working full time than someone on wellfare I have an issue with that. Ok, ok I will get off my soapbox.

edited: because I stayed on my soapbox <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

An american paramedic said he was paid $9.00/hr during katrina rescue. His employer even attepted to with hold some paychecks. He had to go on CNN to complain about it. His employer was just plain greedy. The company received large government funding from the katrina relief effort but the workers never receive decent wages for overtime at all.

Canadian paramedics are paid $25-40/hr depend on size of city or overtime. They are well paid and received generous vacation time. Their jobs aren't threaten by Ilegal immigrants from mexico either. paramedics are paid by municipal government which in turn receive funding from provincial government.

And so from one paramedic who claims he made $9.00 per hour you somehow extrapolate that to "many"? What was the company's explanation for it, or did CNN leave out that part? It would be nice if you were to provide some links so we could examine this story for the holes that, given CNN's general journalistic lapses, are bound to be present.

And you are saying that Canadian EMT's make $20-$35 US per hour? If true, good for them. According to this site New York State EMT's make $22,000-$41,000 per year. Can you cite a source for your $25-$40 per hour Canadian? Of course, how much of that are you allowed to keep? What are Canadian tax rates like? What is the cost of living? How much is a gallon of gas, etc?

Finally, please don't make silly comments about illegal immigrants taking paramedic jobs in America. I know from some of your past posts that you have a rather skewed view of the United States, but up until now you have avoided being patently offensive. That comment, while perhaps not over the line, was straddling it.

Nothing makes me madder than Canadians with skewed points of views of the US and it's huge problem with illegal aliens. IE: hospitals closing and what about thousands of dollars spent on rescuing illigals in the desert.

I'm sure some EMT's will be losing their jobs and the illigals will have to provide their own EMT's

That Canadian probally thinks most EMT's during 911 were volunteer or paid poorly, Mr Norad and know they were paid 22,000 to 41,000 right.

How about illigal alien gang activity during Katrina?

ohh lets not offend them too !!!

How about just a BIG THANK YOU and a pat on the back for the EMT's and perhaps a pay raise oh never mind all the EMT's in NY are raking it in.

I'll sue them for something when they save my [email]A@@[/email]

Just my 2 racists cents

if you all are offended by being offensive to some illegals and probally the rights of prisoners,,I will pray for you.

oh heck lets get back to bear bell, dangers of prions, and the effects of parabens and polymers in my 100% aloe gel, and what about fluoride in toothpaste and my drinking water.

no sites listed go find your own lol : <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Sorry bout the rant.

Protect our Borders

Nice. Have another beer.

I suggest Carlsberg made in the Great White North..

Catlsberg? mmmmmmm sounds like something worth waiting for. lol

Sorry Norad, If I might guess, you were just being pc or do not believe we have problems with illegal immigrants. And i didn't mean to devalue this thread, I think it was a very good question. So I shall move my assine American values to another forum and continue to enjoy everybodies questions and informative answers in regards to equipped to survive here.

peace.

Okay... for those that don’t know I am a professional Paramedic and Firefighter and I have worked in Private EMS since the beginning of my career also, that being said...

II have seen the pay scale across the country for EMT (Basic) and since I started as an EMT things have improved greatly. While I made minimum wage as an EMT when I starts, EMT's today (at the same company) start at $10/hr a huge step up. Not bad when you think about how little schooling they had to complete to become an EMT! Paramedics in the private sector start at almost $14/hr (again, in AZ). When I read the EMS wages reports every year, it seems that most locals have increasing pay also

I know there are other Professional EMS providers out there who are sick and tired of our coworkers [censored] because they only got a $0.50/hr raise this year, expecting more, but when a 0300 move-up or interfacility comes over the radio the call the dispatcher and complain and [censored] about it for the next three days. If we expect to get more pay, then expect to DO YOUR JOB and not complain about it.

Now, to the question… NO area is notorious for poor pay and corrupt EMS companies (the companies, not the providers!) the rural area also has a number of volunteer agencies which bring the averages down. Those providers did an outstanding job (from what I heard) in very poor conditions. They were hindered by a number of things, but incident management was a major one!

A good number of the agencies who sent resources to the disaster were volunteer departments. I witnessed many of these volunteers who left their jobs and families for poor pay from FEMA act more professional then many of the Career firefighters who deployed!

Just out of currosity, how are EMS jobs threatened by illegal Immegrants? Living in the southwest and all, and being well intrenched in the EMS community here I have never heard ANYONE talk about this... The Illegal Immegrant's are job security for many EMS providers!

Yes it is a job of service.......but we need to earn a living wage. Several years ago our county commissioners unanimously voted (5-0) to approve an across the board raise of 25%. Now tell me....how often do elected officials unanimously do things......it goes to show how badly we were paid.