Professional

Walk the walk, and talk the talk. Professionalism in EMS, and other public service related fields, basically boils down to two basic elements; appearance (the walk) and aptitude (the talk). Remember that as you are sizing up your scene and making your 'subjective assessment', your patient is doing the same to you. If you look professional, you will immediately command the attention of your patient, and in many cases you will get the 'help me' look that we see when a patient needs assistance but does not know what to do. This is where your aptitude comes in, if you know what your doing and can explain it without sounding like a bumbling buffoon, you'll command their respect as well. Once you have your patients attention and their respect, the scene is yours. Professionalism, however, is a dying attribute due to the nature of life now. People are so busy, both mind and body, with the million things going on in their life and everything is such a rush that being a hard working professional at work sometimes falls by the wayside. It happens to us all, I mean think of the last time you arrived at work thinking about something happening at home and forgot your scope, or your tie, or your badge...are you really focused on the job. I think part of the issue is that there aren't many professional role models to look to anymore. I mean, who does a newcomer in EMS look to for examples...they look at the people who were there before them, and if those people aren't professional it creates a new generation of the same. So, what's the best way to be more professional both as an individual and as a occupation, walk the walk and talk the talk and let future generations see you do it.

Lead by example, set the bar. Instill pride and ownership in your service. The younger/new members are only going to be as good or as professional as the people that are leading them by example. Training in a professional manner is also key. Unfortunately, the volunteer ranks of Fire and EMS have always been "the other guys" Some people think that if you aren't paid to provide a service you aren't/can't be a professional. But, times have changed drastically since the "old days". Certainly, in this day and age, many things have changed and not everyone has changed their view or mindset of the volunteer services. And, we all know that being paid certainly doesn't make you a professional. Leadership, training, pride, appearance and actions define you as a professional.

With our fire department I think training is important to maintaining professionalism. Whether it is training of EMS skills or of fire skills, the more you perfect your skills and further your knowledge the more professional you will look and act in front of the public and/or other departments.

Going off of what Kate said, at Hamilton we wear t-shirts when on-call. There have been a couple of pushes to wear colored shirts or shirts that more generally look more professional. However, it goes back to the fact that most calls are with our peers. As EMT's we want to come across as approachable, so we find that the t-shirts do not make us less professional, they simply make us more accessible and more "on the same level" as our peers. Put simply, we are less intimidating and people are more likely to use our services. We find that acting in mature, honorable, and respectful ways on and off call makes our professional service.

lead by example and refuse to accept anything except professional behavior. I understand agencies are desperate for emts but there has to be expectations they are held to. no exceptions! Too many young people looking for glory and doing this to drive fast and use sirens. and then there are those that claim they "save " everyone . Just do the job the way you are taught, show respect and empathy. don't stop to take pictures of accidents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! think about how you would want to be treated if it were you and then behave that way!