Grassroots of Tarboro

It should be known to the citizens of Edgecombe County and Tarboro that Chief Karen Johnson of Edgecombe County Rescue Squad has just hired as a part-time paramedic, to serve YOU, the people of her county.

This paramedic has had his PARAMEDIC CERTIFICATION SUSPENDED by the Medical Director of PITT COUNTY and is no longer allowed to function in PITT COUNTY as a PARAMEDIC.

This Paramedic had his certification suspended (INDEFINATELY) because he cannot perform his skills as a Paramedic. THIS IS DOCUMENTED FACT and easily checked out by Chief Johnson, which she has, of course, failed to do...or she DID, and simply does not care as long as she can fill the holes in that squad. Considering the performance and attitudes of the other 'New Hires' now working in this county as caregivers, this is the more likely scenario.

How long is this going to be allowed to go on? Just who is going to ultimately pay the worst possible price for this show of ineptitude? MY family? YOUR family?

Chief Karen Johnson CLEARLY has no managerial skills, no orginizational skills, no concern for her current employees or the people of the county she serves, and no common sense; all of which are well represented by her lax hiring of those who have not even had THEIR WORK PERFORMANCE RECORDS CHECKED prior to their being hired, or have not had their skills tested by Chief Johnson before she puts them as a second crew member on a working ambulance.

RIDICULOUS. UNCOMPREHENSIBLE. IRRESPONSIBLE.

DANGEROUS.

Isn't Heritage Hospital owned by University Health System? And is Dr. Bunn aware of this? How can a Paramedic, not allowed to practice in Pitt county, be able to practice as a paramedic in another county whose health services are run by the same county who doesn't let this medic practice?

Once again, I don't know the details, and I don't know why or for that matter IF a new paramedic had his Pitt County certification suspended, but since CONCERNED POSSIBLE PATIENT is apparently aware of the details, I would suggest that you bring this information to Chief Johnson's attention, express your concern as you have done here and ask directly for more information.

If what you say is true, your questions are legitimate.

It would seem that the citizens could have enough trust in someone set up to provide them with adequate healthcare to use AND utilize proper methods of checking the credentials, background, criminal, and work history of anyone BEFORE they are hired and put to work; especially anyone applying for a positiion that puts the very lves of a county in their hands. Such applicants should also be tested on their knowledge, asked to provide letters of merit from former Medical Directors they have practiced under, at least a call of inquiry to an applicant's former employer...in this case Pitt County, which clearly was not done or this would have been the first thing discovered.

And NO ONE PRIVATE CITIZEN should ever have to approach any employer of public healthcare providers in order to "bring this information" to their attention. They should have already brought it to their own attention by performing ROUTINE inquiries on applicants, and certainly never put them on a working ambulance without prior confirmation of the level of their skills and their ability to perform them.

That is DEFINATELY information that should be obtained PRIOR to hiring; much less let them loose to 'practice' those skills on the unsuspecting public...the same public who trust those put in the position to check such hires themselves. Isn't that what they are paid for? To do their job, and do it correctly?

First things first does any one have actual proof or is this just another rumor that is going to hurt someones career. I think that the Paramedics in Edgecombe county should take a look in the mirror at themselves before passing judgement on another. These are the Paramedics that are actually glorified Intermediates who do not even provide modern day Para Medicine. So before you pass judgement make sure you first know what you are talking about and then ask yourself do you provide the proper care to the citizens of Edgecombe county or are you what we call a "pulse with a patch".

Yes, Jeff, it can be verified and SHOULD have been before the hire. As for 'ruining' someone's career...whose? Do you see a NAME mentioned here? And the medic in question ruined his own career and then failed to disclose this rather pertinent information. And just who are you to talk about ANY medic? For your information, ECRS has 3-4 good medics, and the rest are not even 'glorified basics', much less Intermediates.

Prehaps you should get your own facts straight concerning the skills of any medic before you bring it into question...are you trying to ruin careers?

It sounds to me that the chief is burned out and is not making good decisions towards the care of patients. I'm not sure about the whole Tarboro/pinetops feud but it just sounds like the personnel at the rescue squads have had it with their chief and can't find a way out.It sounds to me like there needs to be a county intervention to resolve this matter. But if what the members say is true about it being a family business what good can the county do. The only time I have ever been in that station was to get my picture made with my wife and son and it was the most filthy "place of business" I have ever seen. We came out smelling like a bunch of ash trays. They do these pictures to raise money for their business but I'm not sure where that money is going because it looks to me like they are all a bunch of pack rats that won't throw anything away and one of the chairs was ripped and had holes all in it but that was the only place to sit and wait our turn.

WOA WAIT A MINUTE EVERYBODY ITS NOT ENTIRELY ALL THE CHIEFS FAULT.In my opinion some of yall need to look in the mirror yourselves before you talk ugly to someone. Only Jesus was perfect and lets be honest nobody down there comes even close to being like he was. Im not saying mistakes arent being made but being bitter isnt goin to change anything. If you don't like where you work QUIT!! Its that simple there are thousands of people that would love to be in those positions to put food and bread on the table. I dont think any of you realize what "hard work is in the first place". I agree that you guys are very underpaid but the fact is you may go for hours and not do anything while the rest of us are outside in the heat doin those dirty jobs that allow you to sit around sometimes. I work outside everyday so while your sitting in the AC in the truck or building you remember those outside in the heat and the military guys in IRAQ before you think your job is so bad. Be thankful for a change. As for your administrator goes have an open discussion about pros and cons and do it in an orderly fashion. Come on people your not in 5th grade anymore grow up.No need for all the tattle telling and gossiping down there remember there are people out there counting on you. If your chief is refusing to compromise and sit down and take action then notify the state EMS service and let them investigate. If that does not work try voting on a solution that will work in the members favor and not hers or hell vote em out if your not scared!!

For the MILLIONETH TIME:

EMS has been notified at the State level. They do nothing.

There is no 'open discussion' at that squad.

And if you think that all EMS workers do is sit in the AC, then that only proves you don't know anything about this situation.

And my brother and two nephews are in Iraq as we write.

Scared? Yes. For our jobs. The ones you think are so easy.

Let me let you in on an Paramedics life. Yes the staions are air conditioned, yes the trucks are air conditioned. In EMS you get called out at all hours of the night--Hot, Cold, Rain, Snow -- Examples: car over-turned on the bypass, dark outside, average speed of cars usually 70-80mph, u smell gas coming from the car but also spot a car seat in the back and hear people asking for help and moaning in pain, it takes time because you have to cut on the car to reach the pt and while the FD is cutting on the car u crawl in and attempt to start care until these pts can be removed from the wreckage......you respond to a call to care for a child who is barely breathing and hanging on for dear life, her life is in your hands, your care, agreesivness and treatment adds to the outcome of this child......walk into a house with 2-5 poeple in it crying and hollaring and beggin you to bring their momma back, you start CPR push all the drugs you can, do everything in your power to get a pulse back, you reach the hospital for the staff to continue trying to save a life only to have the time of death called as you stand back and watch and walk out to see the family in pain wondering----why today, why did that person have to die today????.......you get called to a shooting-arrive on scene to find people everywhere and standing over a teen that has been shot--not knowing where the shooter is, again the patient is loaded and treatment is immediately started and as you are looking at this pt you think of your children, you wonder why??? his life slips away for what reason???
This is just a small portion of the life of someone in the EMS field. We see things most dont see, we are put in situations most are not. Our lives are in danger everytime we check in route to a call...why you may ask???? We never TRULY know what we are up against until we get there. We get schooling, we train continuously we take to heart a lot of what we see and must hold a lot in and dont always have that certain person to open up to and talk about what we were exposed to that shift. Why do we do what we do....Because we love what we do and it takes people like us to help people like you. We dont expect to be looked at as heros, thats not what we are, we are here to try to help save a life, to try to make someone feel better, to give the best possible care possible. So before anyone knocks the job of the EMS know what we face every day when we walk into that building! For those of you that think we dont know what hard work really is, you dont know a damn thing about a day in the life of someone in EMS!! You stick to your job outside in the heat, someday you might need a medic to come to your rescue for heat exhaustion or some type of work related injury--THEN tell us we dont know what real hard work is! I take most of what is said in, but I took great offense to the post from the concerned citizen. Our job is no 8-5 job either, we leave work when our calls are taken care of. God Bless our troops out fighting for our country while we are here on American soil trying to take care of our communities

ECRS what a mess! I did not realize all this was going on. How come theres so much turmoil in such a small community establishment? I havent had the chance to read all the blogs but from what I have read someone has some explaining to do.There is no since in having to put up with being underpaid like that with a sorry irresponsible administrator who won't sit down and compromise with the employees. If you werent all in healthcare I would say walk off the job he/she is not worth all that stress just because the ADMINISTRATOR is to lazy to listen to their employees and find common ground. I think the whole town should be involved because all of our health is at stake with our lifeline being compromised by some ol fashioned ignorant dummy that wont grow with technology and pay. Im curious how underpaid are you guys down there? Dont yall at least make 17-20 $ an hour? Any less than that then something should be done. I am a letter writer and sounds like some of you that work down there shold contact the daily southerner or WRAL'S 5 ON YOUR SIDE! If you are really upset about the way things are going then take those extra steps cause frankly i wouldnt put up with a boss that sorry! Dont let them ruing your career that im sure yall worked hard for. Dont be ashamed or scared of loosing your job to standup for what all of you seem to feel is goin on. Let them know you are not goin to take it. Take a stand and quit trying to reason if the administrator wont. Get others involved from the community and show them how things are. If you dont speak up besides a blog then your wasting your time complaining...LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF ANYTHING BECAUSE THE ONLY THING TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF!

It HAS been tried. EVERY avenue available. Nobody cares. Especially Big Sexy...oh, excuse me; Chief Karen Johnson.

Everything has not been tried because yall havent succeded!

Man, I thought about applying for a P/T medic position but between this thread and the other one, I'll pass. If you want to continue with a squad that has the ability to provide transportation to the hospital, or one that can provide advanced lifesaving interventions in route to the hospital, that is your choice.

Progress and change are hard and it will take time to implement them all. Have some faith in the providers who are trying to help you. If you are holding them under a microscope because you want to continue your hobby, well, what can I say.

You know, the more I read these posts, the more I am seeing sour grapes bitching. If you want your job back, step up and take the medic class. Be the provider you need to be to do all you can for the citizens. EMT-Basics are a dime a dozen. If I need a driver, I'll call a fireman. What we need is a partner. Good Luck Edgecombe County!

Thank you. It's a struggle that has turned into OUTRIGHT HARRASSMENT of the FEW who are unafraid to speak out. Those who are not actually employed there really cannot fathom how bad it is.

Ya know from what I understand that place is in diar straits and needs redemption. I hear the outpour from the community and members but It doesnt sound like change is coming anytime soon. I hate the fact that its so hard for everyone down there and its a shame like they feel nothing can be done. I agree with the concerned citizen bout contacting WRAL 5 ON YOUR SIDE. At least it will become publicly known how bad it is and raise some eyebrows