The Hidden Struggles of Paramedics: Ambulance Shortages, Non-Emergency Misuse, Burnout

In this episode of Red Friday Talks, Randall Arsenault, ‪@OfficerArsenault‬ sits down with former fire chief Dave Connor to shine a spotlight on the hardworking paramedics, and the real reasons behind ambulance delays.

Ever wondered why you wait up to an hour for an ambulance response during a medical emergency, only to drive by a hospital and see multiple ambulances parked outside? We break it down: hospital offload delays, patient transfers, triage systems, and why those "parked" ambulances aren't available for new calls.

Key topics covered:
Paramedic challenges and ambulance shortages
Why paramedics must stay with patients until hospital offload is complete
Misuse of emergency services for non-emergencies and its impact on ER overcrowding
The mental and physical toll on first responders, including trauma exposure
Recent changes allowing paramedics to decline non-urgent transports
A call for kindness: Support our unsung heroes – paramedics, firefighters, and police

Dave shares insights from decades in emergency services, emphasizing the need to appreciate these often sleep-deprived professionals who run countless calls without breaks. We also tease an upcoming interview with a paramedic - leave your questions in the comments!If you're a first responder, veteran, or supporter, join the conversation.

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