more then "other emergency responders"

Lately, there seems to be a pattern emerging in local newspapers and on some radio stations - referencing to paramedics as "other emergency responders". I don't know how this term has developed or has become used. It may be in relation to the Manitoba Government's handling of the memorials for line of duty deaths (see the previous blog titled Paramedic Memorial ). Either way, at a time where paramedicine is increasing by leaps and bounds, the lack of recognition for our profession continues.

The question always arises - how do we address it? I know there have been multiple letters written with one published. The difficulty with such responses is that it is fractured and can come across as whining. Efforts from the Paramedic Association of Manitoba, unions representing us, and employers are trying to educate. What can we do as individuals to support those efforts? First, we can support their collective efforts. Always show professionalism when in the public eye. Attend public relations efforts such as EMS Week activities. Help the Manitoba Paramedic Honour Guard represent you (our long awaited uniforms will arrive soon).

Another way to increase our profile is a novel idea that I believe all of us can do. As you know, all PAM members receive the Canadian Emergency News magazine every 2 months. What do you do with CEN when you're done? I suggest you recycle it but not in the conventional way. Recycle it by donating it to an office. Yes, an office. We've all been in the waiting rooms looking at different old magazines or Reader's Digests. I suggest we add our CEN to that list. Ask your local politician, doctor, dentist, or other office if they would accept your magazine to add to their waiting room reading literature. We all want to raise our profile, this simple little activity would provide the public with an insight into our profession and it has a local flavour thanks to PAM's section at the back describing what's happening here in Manitoba.

There is no reason that PAM members cannot flood offices with CEN. A flood of information about EMS prior to EMS Week will definitely assist our profile. Having "Joe public" reading an EMS magazine will provide greater recognition than any media release. When "Joe public" knows who we are and what we do, the media will have no choice but to refer to paramedics as such because the public will not know who "other emergency responders" are.