Loving EMSers: The Key to Leading EMTs

     What do you do when you've been promoted to a supervisory role and you can't seem to get your peeps behind you? It's nothing you can put your finger on, but they always seem to be pulling in some directions other than where you want them to go. They complain, they bicker, they gossip about each other (and about you), they won't keep their rigs clean, and you just get the feeling they don't respect you.

     Answer: Hmm, sounds like there might be at least a couple of things going on. For one, think about the reason you were promoted. Were you qualified for the position and fairly chosen for it? Hate to ask, but those are both really important questions. If the answer to either is “no,” you're in for some tough times. Lots of poor bosses will throw a new supervisor between themselves and their crews, specifically to camouflage themselves as crappy leaders. The supervisors, eager to make a difference, will try their hardest, but the crews will eat 'em alive.

     Second, and more important, how do you feel about your crews-I mean, really? Being a leader is not the same thing as being everybody's pal-at least not all the time. But one thing I've come to believe about leading EMTs and paramedics is, you pretty much have to love 'em. They're tough people to lead, because their roles routinely expose them to the sky-high demands of people in crisis. They can be just as demanding of their leaders. But regardless of that, I think you have to love the way they think, the way they act, the stuff they laugh at and the things they do for people. If you don't, they figure it out. Don't even think about pretending, because they get lied to for a living; they can spot a phony in about 15 seconds.

     If you're a supervisor because you honestly want to be a good one and you're qualified for the position, and if you honestly care about your crews, they'll figure that out, too. Be patient. Don't give up. They'll come around. Be consistent and settle for a little improvement every day. You'll be surprised how it adds up. Your crews may even think they're the ones who made the difference. That's okay!

     Leaders get deposed overnight all the time. But they have to earn their acceptance. Especially by experienced EMSers.

Thom Dick has been involved in EMS for 35 years, 23 of them as a full-time EMT and paramedic in San Diego County. He is currently the quality care coordinator for Platte Valley Ambulance Service, a community-owned, hospital-based 9-1-1 provider in Brighton, CO. Contact him at boxcar414@aol.com.