Poor Plod

Checked out Inspector Gadget Blog. Found it quite disappointing.

Apparently poor PC Plod is upset because they have to come out to patients who are potentially violent to assist ambulance crews and they do not think it is their job.

Lets look at the facts

Pc Plod
Starting Wage £23,000
Pension Age 55
Restraint Training
Some have tazers
Batons
CS Spray
Stab Vest

Paramedic
Minimum of 2 Years training that has to be paid for at university by the individual (£18,000 minimum for tuition fees only)
Starting Wage £21,176
Pension Age 60 though soon to be increased to 65 or maybe 68
No restraint training
No personal defence weapons
No Stab Vest

Tell you what police. Fuck off. No we will not wander into dangerous situations because you can't be arsed to come out as you are too busy policing (if not keeping people like EMS workers safe then what exactly is policing?)

Saying S136 is our responsiblity (and all mental health) because we have contacts with mental health units. No we do not. We take them to A&E. Its totally inappropriate. Our vehicles are not safe for somebody that is resisting. You have training in restraint. You have safe police cells.

Saying that drunk patients might die in a police cell so you should be using an EMERGENCY AMBULANCE to take them to A&E rather than arresting them for drunk and disorderly. They are not ill. They are drunk. If you are so concerned take them to A&E for assessment.

In fact the other day I went to "check out" a patient that was feeling "a little down" and police were on scene. What in fucks name were they calling an emergency ambulance for? Do you not have police doctor? What exactly do you want us to do?

You are on more money, retire earlier so shut the fuck up about "wahhhh ambulance service are emergency service they should accept risk as part of their job". Well no. We are an essential service and we are not accepting risk as we are paid nowhere near what you are.

Its annoying to think that our "colleagues" despite abusing the ambulance service (constantly) and dumping people on us rather than actually deal with them (how many times have I been to the cells for a patient that has been arrested but now feels ill so they de-arrest the patient just so they don't have to deal with him) and they bitch and moan about coming out to help us perform our duties safely.

I love the police officer high up the comments who wants some of their staff to do paramedic training (bit like the firemen think they can do our job?) if we won't do what we should be doing by risking life and limb to jump in like heroes and save lives. I wonder if any of the other services have any idea just how much work goes into being a paramedic?