Miami County EMS
“Our Code”
Jason M. Jenkins
Chief
Objectives
• Have a working knowledge of the EMT Oath
• Have an understanding of the EMT Code of Ethics
• Understand the Miami County EMS Mission
statement
• Be familiar with “Our Code” at Miami County
EMS
• Work through some scenarios that have moral and
ethical dilemmas
Morals
• Where do they come from?
• What determines if they are right or wrong?
• Can someone change your morals?
Morals
• of, pertaining to, or concerned with
the principles or rules of right
conduct or the distinction between
right and wrong; ethical:
• founded on the fundamental
principles of right conduct rather
than on legalities, enactment, or
custom
Ethics
• Can someone change your ethics?
• Where do your ethics come from?
• What’s the difference between an ethic and
a moral?
Ethics
• the rules of conduct recognized in
respect to a particular class of
human actions or a particular
group, culture, etc.:
• moral principles, as of an
individual: His ethics forbade
betrayal of a confidence.
EMT Oath
• Be it pledged as an Emergency Medical Technician, I will
honor the physical and judicial laws of God and man. I will
follow that regimen which, according to my ability and
judgment, I consider for the benefit of patients and abstain
from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, nor shall I
suggest any such counsel. Into whatever homes I enter, I
will go into them for the benefit of only the sick and
injured, never revealing what I see or hear in the lives of
men unless required by law.
EMT Oath
• I shall also share my medical knowledge
with those who may benefit from what I
have learned. I will serve unselfishly and
continuously in order to help make a better
world for all mankind.
EMT Oath
• While I continue to keep this oath
unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy
life, and the practice of the art, respected by
all men, in all times. Should I trespass or
violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot.
So help me God.
Code of Ethics
• Professional status as an Emergency Medical
Technician and Emergency Medical TechnicianParamedic is maintained and enriched by the
willingness of the individual practitioner to accept
and fulfill obligations to society, other medical
professionals, and the profession of Emergency
Medical Technician. As an Emergency Medical
Technician-Paramedic, I solemnly pledge myself
to the following code of professional ethics:
Code of Ethic
• A fundamental responsibility of the
Emergency Medical Technician is to
conserve life, to alleviate suffering, to
promote health, to do no harm, and to
encourage the quality and equal availability
of emergency medical care.
Code of Ethic
• The Emergency Medical Technician
provides services based on human need,
with respect for human dignity, unrestricted
by consideration of nationality, race, creed,
color, or status.
Code of Ethic
• The Emergency Medical Technician does
not use professional knowledge and skills in
any enterprise detrimental to the public well
being.
Code of Ethic
• The Emergency Medical Technician
respects and holds in confidence all
information of a confidential nature
obtained in the course of professional work
unless required by law to divulge such
information.
Code of Ethic
• The Emergency Medical Technician, as a
citizen, understands and upholds the law
and performs the duties of citizenship; as a
professional, the Emergency Medical
Technician has the never-ending
responsibility to work with concerned
citizens and other health care professionals
in promoting a high standard of emergency
medical care to all people.
Code of Ethic
• The Emergency Medical Technician shall
maintain professional competence and
demonstrate concern for the competence of
other members of the Emergency Medical
Services health care team.
Code of Ethic
• An Emergency Medical Technician assumes
responsibility in defining and upholding
standards of professional practice and
education.
Code of Ethic
• The Emergency Medical Technician
assumes responsibility for individual
professional actions and judgment, both in
dependent and independent emergency
functions, and knows and upholds the laws
which affect the practice of the Emergency
Medical Technician.
Code of Ethic
• An Emergency Medical Technician has the
responsibility to be aware of and participate
in matters of legislation affecting the
Emergency Medical Service System.
Code of Ethic
• The Emergency Medical Technician, or
groups of Emergency Medical Technicians,
who advertise professional service, do so in
conformity with the dignity of the
profession.
Code of Ethic
• The Emergency Medical Technician has an
obligation to protect the public by not
delegating to a person less qualified, any
service which requires the professional
competence of an Emergency Medical
Technician
Code of Ethic
• The Emergency Medical Technician will
work harmoniously with and sustain
confidence in Emergency Medical
Technician associates, the nurses, the
physicians, and other members of the
Emergency Medical Services health care
team.
Code of Ethic
• The Emergency Medical Technician refuses
to participate in unethical procedures, and
assumes the responsibility to expose
incompetence or unethical conduct of others
to the appropriate authority in a proper and
professional manner.
Our Mission
• To provide emergency medical services
commensurate with the expertise of it’s
Medical Director, the staff of the EMS and
the facility’s resources. These services will
be provided to all patients, regardless of
their ability to pay.
Our Mission
• Develop relationships with other EMS
providers to assure continuity of care to
patients who cannot or should not be treated
by Miami County EMS, to insure that the
county’s emergency medical health needs
are met.
Our Mission
• Evaluate, on a continuous basis, the
changing EMS system and the county’s
appropriate role in terms of quality, cost,
and access.
Our Mission
• Miami County EMS through the County
Commission, Chief, and Staff shall, on
continuing basis, establish goals and
objectives consistent with this stated
mission.
Scenario #1
• Your unit is dispatched to a MVC. Upon
arrival your patient requires extrication out
of the vehicle. She is A&O x3 and is stable.
The patient is in possession of her purse,
and SO requests you obtain her drivers
license. In the purse you see a bag of weed.
Do you tell the Sheriff’s Department?
“Our Code”
• EMS will challenge you on it’s personal and
professional level. The intent of “Our
Code” is to help guide the employees
through some of those challenges. “Our
Code” is advice that has been learned the
hard way, through trial and error—success
and failure. Be wise enough to learn from
others.
“Our Code”
• The success you experience at Miami
County EMS will depend on how well you
understand the elements in this presentation
and apply them to your personal and
professional life.
Keep your ego in check
• Maybe you’re nice enough. But why do
you struggle to “fit in?” A common culprit:
is ego. Beware of the following rapport
ruining behaviors:
Playing “topper.”
• When someone tells a funny anecdote, don’t
rush to top it. Example: Joe discusses his
kid’s soccer game. You pipe up and brag
about how your kid scored the winning goal
last weekend.
Lecturing
• A co-worker shares his struggles trying to
master a new skill. You should nod and
empathize, but instead you interrupt to give
unsolicited advice. Even if you’re an expert
and you’re itching to chime in, wait until
someone asks for help.
Taking yourself too seriously
• A good natured colleague gently jokes
about a mistake you made. Don’t take
offense or defend yourself. Laugh along.
It’s OK.
Rid yourself of labels
• Your colleagues label everyone from the the
“bean counters” to the “paper pushers.”
Don’t join in. Refer to each department by
name (“finance”, “human resources”)
without the cute moniker. You never know
who’s going to take offense.
Acknowledge your mistakes
• everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes we
say things that can be taken wrong or
unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings.
The simple fix is to acknowledge it and say
you’re sorry and mean it. This will
demonstrate maturity and character.
Wait until the right time to
provide input
• when you have an idea, realize that it might
not be the right time to share it. If it makes
someone else look bad in front of a group or
translates into you looking like a “Know-itAll,” the best course is to wait until another
time or bring it up with your Lieutenant or
Battalion Chief in private.
Follow the Chain-of-Command
• Miami County EMS operates with a chain-ofcommand. That means that official requests or
reports move through the department in a logical
sequence from one rank to another. There are
informal means of communicating ideas or
suggestions within the department by casual
conversations with the Chiefs. Regardless of the
idea, it will undoubtedly flow through the chainof-command or flow through a committee review
process.
You are your Brother’s Keeper
• In this profession you are expected to look
out for your counterparts. You are expected
to be honest and demonstrate integrity.
Integrity is following through on what you
say you will. You will lose respect within
the department if you don’t practice
integrity everyday.
Spend your working hours…
• Talking about golf will probably not make
you a better EMT or Paramedic.
There are three rules that
supersede all other rules:
• 1) Do right
• 2) Treat Others Like You Would Like To Be
Treated
• 3) Do Your Best
• You will be held to these without exception
by those you work with.
Know what is expected of you
• do it, and then do a little more than what
was expected.
Learn something new everyday
• Those that have been in EMS for over 28
years at times feel that they have just
scratched the surface of the knowledge
required to be great in EMS. Always learn
something new every chance you get.
If it doesn’t have your name on it
• LEAVE IT ALONE
Read everything
• you find about EMS, listen to advice and
“war stories” from fellow EMTs and
paramedics, and observe everything around
you at a call or accident scene. Remember
what works and what does not.
Don’t leave dishes in the sink
• You’re mother should have taught you
better. Also, pick up after yourself. The
reputation of a slob is hard to discard.
Shine
• your shoes
An EMT/Paramedic
• should be able to trust you with his life, his
wife, and his money. Violate any one of
them and you’re done.
It’s better to give than receive
• Help a co-worker out when you can, but
don’t expect much in return. EMS “folks”
like most people will soon forget a favor
received, until they need you again. Just
enjoy the good feeling of helping others,
that’s why you are in the business.
Regardless of what happens
• be reliable. Show up when you say you
will. Work for someone when you say you
will. Carry through with your commitments
to others. You may get by with letting
people down once or twice, but it will be no
secret on the job as to your reliability.
Pay back anything that’s owed
• whether you owe time, money, or a favor –
pay it back. You will damage your
character and look dishonest if you blow off
a commitment or a debt.
Practice good hygiene
• In EMS we all live together and there is
nothing worse than living next to someone
who doesn’t bathe and quite frankly,
“smells.”
When you need help
• ask for it. Whether it’s personal or a
professional dilemma you are experiencing,
odds are you are working with someone
who has already been there. Your officers
and co-workers can be a great resource, but
you have to let them know.
Nobody likes a complainer
• Another good term for this in EMS is a
“whiner.” The best way to isolate yourself
and to demonstrate a flawed character is to
complain about everything; the pay, the
hours, the station, the food. It won’t take
you long to earn what you deserve if you
engage in whining.
You’re not better than anyone
else
• As much pride as EMS has, the bottom line
is, we are public servants. We work for
those who live in our community. Your
chest should swell with pride, but it should
be pride in providing a caring and
compassionate service.
Demonstrate respect
• for the symbols of the department and wear
your uniform with pride. Be proud of who
you are and the organization you are part of.
Be respectful towards any retiree, they spent
a lifetime earning the public’s trust that you
now enjoy.
The job of an EMT/Paramedic
• is important, but so are your lifelong
relationships. Take care of your mate and
kids and come to work ready to perform
heroic deeds and undertake courageous
endeavors that very few people will ever get
the opportunity to experience. However, for
the safety of everyone, you have to have
your head in the game.
Nobody likes a slacker
• When new, every job is your job unless it is
assigned to someone else. You should be
the first one up and the last one to sit down
when there is work to be done. Doing so
will gain you respect and increase your
influence.
You will be defined
• by the habits you practice. If you have a spare
minute, do you spend the time reading the paper,
working the crossword, or studying the streets. If
you develop good study habits and put in the time
necessary to be thoroughly knowledgeable in your
job you will reap the accolades of your co-workers
and supervisors. If you are known as someone
who has to be pushed to study, you will be widely
known for that also.
Not following orders
• and going your own way will cost you your
career.
Be careful
• of what you do or say. This is how you will
be remembered for the rest of your career.
It’s very tough to understand
• what someone is telling you with your
mouth running.
Read. Read. Read.
• Never stop learning.
Go at this job like it was your
calling
• Doing less is obvious to those you work
with.
When training
• listen to what is being taught. It’s being
respectful to the instructor, which will be
you some day.
Don’t sit
• in any Chief’s chair
There are only a handful of jobs
• when you truly have peoples lives in your
hands. This though should be on your mind
when training and preparing yourself to do
whatever is asked of you.
Represent this department
• with pride whenever attending training or
conferences. Acting like an idiot will get
you fired.
Be respectful to those with rank
• around the public use their rank in
addressing them.
If you have a question
• ask it. It’s better to know than to not know
and get caught short. There are no dumb
questions. Someone else is probably
thinking it too, look like the smart one for
asking it!
Good hearted joking
• around the station is one thing—it’s a totally
different thing to get into belittling someone
or trying to raise your own stock by
devaluing others. Realize it for what it is
and don’t join in.
Treat the stations
• as if they were your home – it is. Turn off
the lights. Clean up after yourself, and
double flush if you need to.
If you want a raise
• earn it
Don’t put toast crumbs
• back in the butter dish
Being good at something
• is no accident. To excel in any field you
must practice in situations that are as
realistic as possible, only then can you find
out where your weaknesses are.
The best
• never quit looking for ways to get better
Bring your own soap
• Use your own towel. What’s the last thing
you wash? Me too, and you just washed
your face.
If you know--Teach
• If you don’t, listen and learn.
Never put yourself
• above your crew, station, or team.
Have a plan
• No matter where you are in your career
have a plan. Too often we are reactive,
without planning you are always playing
catch-up.
Look for ways
• to make the job safer, easier, faster,
anything…Just because that’s how we’ve
always done it doesn’t make it the best way
possible.
Live without regrets
• you never know when the opportunity to
mend could be gone forever.
Find a way!
• Too often we find ourselves saying, “I wish
I could…I wish I was…I sure would like
to…I don’t think I can…” If we said
instead, “I will…I’m going to…I can…”
you’d find yourself standing at your goal.
Bring money to work
• Pay your food bill.
Leave your cell phone turned off
• during the day especially during classes and
training. Use your voice mail to return calls
at an appropriate time—during training is
NOT that time.
Avoid complacency
• Don’t start off your career going full blast,
then slack off because you “have the
badge.”
Be the first one
• in line when a supervisor asks for
volunteers to do something.
Attend all schools and classes
• you can. The more knowledge the better
you will be.
Learn from the classes
• Do not simply attend. Someone has put a
lot of effort into preparing and teaching the
class. Respect the effort.
The old saying
• “first impressions last forever” is very true.
Be yourself, be honest, and be prepared to
play the “new guy game.”
Never think you know it all
• It makes you look silly and immature.
Both ends of a “generation gap”
• Have something to learn from the other.
Respect the age and experience
• of older EMS people. You can benefit
greatly from their insights.
Choose your heroes carefully
• Who you associate with and who you
choose to emulate will speak loudly for who
you are. Choose poorly, and you will be
remembered that way.
Although retirement
• seems so far away, make decisions now that
will afford you comfort in 30 years.
Recognize you start investing in KP&F
today and treat sick leave as something
sacred. You never know when the need will
arise for an extended use of sick leave.
If it stinks
• Wash it.
It’s never a bad
• thing to buy too much food, but it’s always
a bad thing to buy too little.
Set high standards for yourself
• Don’t be coerced into keeping secrets or
covering up bad behavior or poor
performance. If you do, you become
involved in a conspiracy. Not a place to be
– it never ends well.
If someone on the job needs help
moving,
• with projects, or such—and you have the
time—volunteer to help them. It will be
repaid in spades.
What happens here
• This is your primary job. Day off jobs are
just that. Don’t get them confused or
reversed.
Always remember
• that in the eyes of many (especially
children), “we” are heroes. Wear the title
well. It is our duty to continue this tradition
and our obligation to retain this designation
for those that follow us. We can do this by
acting appropriately and professionally,
while on and off duty.
The most popular person
• In the world is the hard-worker. In every
country and every culture a hard-worker is
appreciated and will always be accepted.
Not all people will warm up to the most
intelligent, or the best looking, or the
wealthiest, but a hard-worker is welcomed
in any circle.
Don’t mess with anything
relating to trade time!
• In theory only a third of the “can’t be missed”
graduations, funerals, and birthday parties, etc.
should fall on our off duty days. However, by
some mysterious quirk of the universe about two
thirds of them actually do. This job would be
miserable without trade time, so be a good trade
partner. When you’ve agreed to work for
someone, show up! If you owe someone time,
work it back willingly. Don’t do anything to cause
management to question our trading policy!
If you have something
• that bothers you like; flatulence, swearing,
certain music, or the middle being taken out
of the new cake, don’t tell anyone.
Everyone will do it just to get your goat. So
don’t tell, or have some thick skin, which
isn’t a bad thing to have anyway.
Scenario #2
• You are dispatched to the scene of a cardiac arrest.
Upon arrival you find a 24 y/o male in cardiac
arrest. Your protocol states to work the code for
20 minutes and to stop any further efforts. It is a
winter day, roads are snow covered, and the
hospital is 30 minutes away. You prepare to “call
the code”, and tell the mother about your plan of
action. She becomes very emotional and wants
you to transport him. What do you do?
Whenever possible
• Handle minor internal disputes and problems at
your own level. As an EMT/Paramedic you find
that the off going shift is leaving a lot of “stuff”
sitting around, handle the matter in a mature
manner with your counterparts on that shift. The
likelihood of a problem being resolved in a quick
fashion with minimal hurt feelings, is inversely
proportional to the number of “bars on the collar”
being brought to bear on said problem.
Always strive
• to be: First to work, First to start cleaning,
First to the truck, First to start training, First
to do the dishes, and the First one up in the
morning.
Always strive
• To be: Last to finish cleaning, Last to finish
training, Last one to get your food, and the
Last one to do your laundry.
The “New Guy” game
• You will always be the “new guy” at the
station until someone with less time is
stationed with you. You may still be the
‘new guy’ after being on the job several
years. Your day will come when you are no
longer the “new guy” and it will be
someone else’s turn.
Use sick leave only
• when you’re truly sick or helping your
family with sickness. You’re not fooling
anyone if you abuse it. If you have a
serious event, you will be glad you have
some to draw upon.
There is no rule
• that says the last piece of cake has to be
divided 32 times before someone washes
the pan.
Don’t use every pan
• in the kitchen if you cook. You clean items
as you work.
Support others in time of crisis
• A kind word. Thoughtful listening. And,
empathy will demonstrate your character.
The only thing EMS workers
• can steal from other shifts is food (this is
called borrowing, except it’s hard to return
lasagna).
Look for the best traits
• in everyone and make them your own.
Never talk behind someone’s
back
• It makes you look small and odds are those
same people you’re sharing things with will
soon be sharing things about you with
others. It’s disloyal and petty behavior.
You will buy ice cream,
• if you’re in the newspaper!
All work and no play
• makes you old. Enjoy the job and those you
work with. Work when you’re supposed to,
play when you can fit it in.
Your health
• is the most important thing you have.
Protect it.
“The Unwritten”
• Professional Advice
If you become lost
• in a “train wreck” call, STOP. Gain control
of your thoughts, and your breathing;
develop a plan and execute it.
It’s OK to feel panicky
• Anyone can feel that way at any time.
What’s not OK is to act that way. If you
feel panicked STOP—think how you were
trained—and do that. Fall back on your
training. It will save you.
Stay in voice
and visual contact with crew members. Do
not “go it alone.”
Check your equipment
• Each time you check a truck, check to see
that it’s all there and in good condition.
Cutting corners in checking your equipment
endangers your life as well as the others on
your truck. Don’t do it. You lose respect
and become unreliable. That tag is not easy
to overcome. Check the compartments for
missing equipment, it may just refresh your
memory of where items are.
Each morning
• after you put your gear on the truck and
check it over, report to your Battalion Chief
that the unit is “ready to go.” Management
will appreciate it and it demonstrates that
you’re responsible. Don’t fake it. Don’t
report something you haven’t done, you will
eventually be found out.
Avoid pathogen exposures
• Always wear your gloves and eye
protection. Be consistent in this and
management will notice.
Always wear your seatbelt
• In the unit you’re driving. It’s department
policy and just makes good sense. How
many lives have you seen that were saved
by seatbelts?
Wait for help
• in lifting heavy loads or patients. Back
injuries can produce a life time of pain and
end careers. No one has to injure
themselves. If there is a question in your
mind whether or not something is too
heavy—stop—ask for some help. That’s
why we work together.
If you’re hurt, injured,
• or reached your fatigue point, tell your
Battalion Chief. The worst thing you can
do is compound an emergency by becoming
a patient instead of a rescuer.
Maintain your
• “Situational awareness.” If you’re in
trouble ask for help quickly.
Using your nose
• to identify chemicals only shortens your life
and your career.
You can kick your way
• through sheetrock walls into an adjoining
space if you’re trapped.
Never go into an emergency
• scene “empty handed.” Carry something
that would be of value.
We can’t save everyone
• we just provide them the best chance to
survive.
Never don what you are
• going to wear on the way to an emergency
without your seatbelt on. Dress before you
respond or after you arrive.
When on the street
• or next to a highway, stay out of the traffic
lane. Do not assume other drivers will see
you. Wear your vest!
If you’re working on the roof
• Look up.
Practice controlling
• yourself. Realize you didn’t create the
emergencies and we have prepared you to
deal with them. You have to get control and
calm yourself.
If you worked for another
department
• nobody cares how they “did it there.” Make
constructive suggestions at the right time
and in the right place.
No where on your job description
• did it list “human sacrifice” as a job
requirement. Operate so that everyone goes
home.
After the call
• be eager to begin getting ready for the next
one. Demonstrate your work ethic and
determination to get the job done.
Everyone wants to go home ASAP.
When people die
• stay focused on your job. It’s OK to get
teary—it only shows you care.
Someone has to protect the
county
• when everyone else is at the “Big One.”
That’s just as important.
The difference between
• part-time and full-time is not a paycheck.
It’s how you conduct yourself and the
professionalism you display. Both can fall
short.
If you don’t know where
• you’re going, turn off the siren and find out.
Radios can
• and will fail you at the worst possible time.
If someone wants to
• talk about a difficult call they had, let them.
An understanding ear can do more for the
heart and soul than therapy.
Never
• Never-Ever-bet your life on technology.
Drive to reach
• the scene of the emergency safely.
Everyone’s life depends on it; the victims,
your fellow co-workers, people on the
street, and even your own.
When things become more dire
• on the emergency scene you have to be
more disciplined in carrying out your
assignments. Efficiency and speed may
save someone’s life.
Sometimes
• only a cuss word will help.
Courage
• is not what you do in the face of fear; it’s
the actions you take despite it.
Calm yourself before
• using the radio. Sounding hysterical is not
reassuring to the incident commander or
scanner land.
Sadly, there is no place
• for you in this department if you “freelance”
at emergencies. That endangers everyone
and drives Battalion Chiefs crazy. You
don’t want that.
Scenario #3
• You are dispatched to the scene of a fire stand by.
You are aware that there are patients trapped in the
structure. Mother has been extricated and has 2nd
degree burns to her body. Her children are trapped
inside. The FD states to you that they have found
the bodies of the children and they are dead. The
mother says she won’t be transported to the
hospital until she knows her children are out and
OK. What do you do?
Needle sticks
• are not funny. Use the sharps containers,
and immediately report the incident to
management.
Keep your hands off
• other people’s bags. Stay out of their
lockers, too.
We will not risk anything
• for lost property or victims that cannot be
saved. You need to keep that in mind.
Don’t put any equipment
• back on the truck dirty. Everyone will
know you did it.
If you take something off
• a truck, report it to your Battalion Chief.
If you get the chance
• pick up any medical trash (containers and
such) before you leave the scene. People
will appreciate it.
Medical Alarms
• are not always false alarms. Go in as
prepared to a medical alarm as you would a
code blue. Don’t get caught with your pants
down.
911 emergencies
• Are not emergencies for EMS. That is what
we are trained to handle. Act with
confidence—you’ve been prepared.
Never forget to say “thank you”
• for a meal or drink if anyone provides it for
you (especially at the scene of an
emergency). Even if it’s a baloney
sandwich.
Be observant of who is around
you
• off-hand joking after someone has suffered
a loss can reflect badly on the department
and makes us appear to be uncaring.
Be wary of management
• that does not train regularly with their
crews.
Simply because you have a
blister
• doesn’t mean everyone has to see it.
We’re not at war with
• law enforcement or fire over who’s most
important. We all have a job to do, even
though people like us better.
It’s OK
• to tell someone you are sorry for their loss.
And my personal favorite!
• If you’re hungry EAT, you never know
when your next chance will be.
Thank you!
• Please make sure you
• Do you have
signed in on the
questions???
attendance roster
• What did you think of
• Please fill out an
the program?
evaluation for the class
and turn it in to
receive CEUs