As a career path that offers longevity, regular raises and promotional opportunities, EMS falls short unless it is provided within a public service agency or within the corporate framework of a hospital institution. Those opportunities are limited because in many places the organization of delivery is small, often volunteer.  Even within the private sector, opportunities are limited unless it is within one of the large corporate organizations that have branched out on a large scale basis. The career ladder narrows as one moves up.

However, the concept of making a profit, at any scale should not be chastised.  I previously mentioned that the start up costs involved risk and a return on the capital investment that was long term, often dependant of contract renewals for a full realization.

Its often been a pet peeve of mine where a community presents a need and does nothing and encourages the private sector to take the start up risks, then after seeing cash flow generate a profit makes a move to replace the provider in an attempt to generate cash flow in to public coffers. It happens on a regular basis. My question to these political bodies will always be, “Why, when the need was first apparent was nothing done by the political body?” The most obvious answer, at least to me, is no one except the entrepreneur was willing to take the risk. As such, because these individuals were willing to step up and take that risk, any rewards, including what might seem as unreasonable profits, have every right on that return.  No one was concerned when that specific stock had lost value and traded at bargain basement prices several years ago.

Capitalism is a great concept and it rewards the risk takers who are willing to invest in their dreams. It is not often that they get realized to that magnitude, but there are no rewards without risk. It is also a different concept from showing up for a shift then going home.

When you put your money up front to finance an operation and take the risks involved, when you realize a profit I will applaud your courage and efforts loudly.