The Federal Government shutdown has been extended to Emergency Medical Technicians working on Federal and US Military ambulances and installations.





Under Federal guidelines, EMT’s are considered “nonessential personnel”, as paramedics can do the same job, plus more. “Honestly, there is no need to have an EMT on the payroll” stated US Health and Human Services spokeswoman Roberta Lincoln. “They can only do half the job of a paramedic, and in a time of budget constraints, it makes no sense to pay people to do part of a job” stated Ms. Lincoln.

A move by EMS advocacy groups to protect EMT’s from furlough fell on deaf ears in the Federal Government. “A pig squeals loudest when it’s being pulled from the trough” said Ms. Lincoln. “The shutdown forced by Congress makes us have to make tough choices when it comes to what is essential and what isn’t”, she said. “Paramedics save lives. EMT’s drive them around and lift things. Well, paramedics can lift and drive, so it’s pretty clear who the essential providers are” she went on to state.

Leaders in several major EMS industries have gone on record as stating that while they will consider extending these layoffs to their own agencies, but others state that financially, this might not be the best move. “I can hire two EMT’s for what I pay one good paramedic” stated the manager of the 6th largest EMS agency in the US who wished to remain nameless. “Hell, give them an AED, a bottle of aspirin and an automatic defibrillator, and they can do 80% of the job that a paramedic usually does, and cheaper” he went on to say.

When Ms. Lincoln was asked if patients would notice the difference in healthcare with EMT positions eliminated, she replied “Trust me, with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, EMS is the least of the public’s problems”.