We are pleased to be able to offer this special article by Al Hutchinson, EMT-P, DOT-I

Mr. Hutchinson was prompted to write this article due to a recent station closing where fellow EMT's were blindsided and completely angered to no end about not being given fair warning.

On Surviving a Shutdown
By Al Hutchinson EMT-P, DOT-I

Downtrends, recession, shutdowns and bankruptcy are words every working American should be reasonably familiar with. Those words are gloomy economic indicators that represent the business health of any industry in our fair country. It is to be understood with extreme clarity EMS is not immune to their effect.  Imagine arriving for a scheduled shift only to find out that the ambulance service you have dedicated a large majority of your career to, is closing for good in three days. After sheer panic sets in but before blistering anger arrives what do you do? You have three days to replace your salary with comparable employment and because a large majority of American workers, including EMT's, live from paycheck to paycheck, the fear of loosing everything becomes as real as the omega orange stripe that surrounds most ambulances. The previous scenario might seem a little farfetched but ambulance services do shutdown, are shutting down and will continue to do so.  Personally I have survived 8 station closings. However the very first station shutdown and the financial hardship my family and I suffered afterwards opened my eyes to stark reality. This article will tell you how to properly prepare for any ambulance company closing.
 
When an ambulance service closes its doors it does not signal the apocalypse.  The key in surviving the shutdown is to have a solid backup plan. I have had a personal experience of reporting for a shift only to find the doors locked, the station stripped clean and all the units gone. But on the reverse I have also been given 30 days of advanced notice with written references being offered and severance pay. However, whether the ambulance service is a responsible employer, and I do stress responsible, by advising their employees of what's to come or if they have a questionable history of rapid, unannounced shutdowns it is of no consequence, income protection falls squarely on the shoulders of the person that is the most affected and that... means... you.

Commercial EMS is a volatile, highly competitive and temperamental industry. Even though ambulance services perform a critical and noble deed by serving those in need, critical and noble deeds don't pay salaries, purchase fuel or buy equipment. Commercial EMS provides an essential service to customers for profit. So it is to be understood that anything that is controlled by profit can be summarily ruined by the lack or reduction thereof.  There are millions of dollars at stake for transporting patients to and froe, from home to hospital and from clinic to clinic. The key to this people-moving industry is volume. And volume is important because not every call is a "paying" call so the higher the transport rate the increased likelihood of "turning a profit." This madness is a sort of "hit and miss" game of the insured versus the uninsured.  When the call volume starts to fall and the service begins to hemorrhage cash, just like any other company, station owners and managers will slash overtime shifts, purchase cheaper equipment and reduce the number of ambulances to the contracted minimum. Supervisors will seek out new income avenues, peruse doctor"s offices for leads on bedconfined patients and try to make the crews transport every patient they come in contact with.  But when these acts of desperation fail and the owner(s) sees no increase in profit a station amputation is performed.
  
Protecting your income means having a plan in place before a shutdown happens. To be effective this plan should contain four key elements.  First, you should have a copy of all of your current professional documents as well as your driver’s license and social security card. These documents should be copied on both sides and placed in a folder at home. Having a copy reduces the chances that your employment files become lost or "conveniently" misplaced. And yes, personnel records do become a tool to slow employees from leaving a sinking ship. Second, you should have recent copies of you last PPD test, Hepatitis B vaccination or titer and HEPA "fit" test.  The address of the certifying occupational clinic should be placed with this set of documents. Third, you should have an updated resume' with 3-5 references with working phone numbers and current addresses. This resume should have at least one letter of reference preferably from a supervisor or a medical control physician.  Lastly, you should have the numbers, addresses and names of the managers of all the ambulance services in a 50 mile radius. The names of the services should include actionable intelligence such as pay, benefits and morale climate. The way you gather this information is by asking employees of that service. Also note how they are dressed, the condition of their units and the appearance of their station.

After shock of your home station has closed it is time to get to work. There is the matter of all service issued items such as uniforms, keys, name badges, and handbooks. Return these items to their rightful owner. And there is the also the matter of any remaining pay for shift work and/or unused vacation time. Be vigilant. You didn't suffer all those sleepless nights and bad calls for nothing. Apply for what is owed to you in the manner prescribed and do so cheerfully. I have seen Paramedics become so disgusted with the closing service they move on without looking back. Personally I always closed that part of my career with my last check and a new job.

Remember, you are not alone in your search for new employment. You are literally in a reemployment foot race with other EMT's and to dispel a myth; the early bird does not get the worm. As a hiring manager I learned that the best employees are the ones who are punctual, dressed appropriately and never have to leave the interviewing chair to make copies.  So don't wait until the service you work for decides to close or even folds without warning. Start collecting information now and who knows while you are collecting information for you backup plan you might just find a better job.