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Just after I penned a report on the bad actors trying to infiltrate our IT systems, I saw a disturbing story on possible bad actors working from the inside out. The news reports around the activities of a “sick and twisted” EMS Facebook group are upsetting for many reasons. I have always maintained that both email and social media platforms are a weapons-grade device that when used negatively, can create a kiloton blast on the reputation of both individual EMS providers and the prehospital profession alike.
The report identifies that “really graphic material” – including scenes of suicide with commentary and memes that indicate pleasure or support for the images presented – are posted within a private Facebook group created by an Atlanta paramedic, who stated that, “It’s a way to express our humor. To get rid of the stress that we deal with at work.”
While there is no indication HIPAA was breached, the expected standards of caregivers who hold a trusted and respected status in our noble profession were. When interviewed about the group, the Metro-Atlanta Ambulance EMS director made a heartfelt plea that, “There’s a lot of really, really good people that are in our field: fire, police, EMS and they give their hearts to what we do, and to have a group of people take that away from us, it’s devastating.”
EMS delivery today is stressful and, as the EMS director pointed out, the images and scenes we see on a day-to-day basis are extreme. Every day, EMTs and paramedics enter the scene of someone’s worst possible day to restore order, induce calm and save a life. Perhaps we have to trade a piece of our soul to save that life, which over time, eats us away.
Getting rid of the gallows humor in EMS
It has long been believed that the “gallows humor” seen throughout public safety helps crews put the soul-wrenching behind them, but rather than turn to the dark recesses of the internet, the truth is we now have places to conduct that venting in a controlled environment where the assistance may help eradicate the scars of memory and recycle the provider back into doing what we all signed up to do – help our fellow man.
Any agency worth its salt will remove crews from a traumatic call to decompress, as well as offer group or individual debriefing.
Outlets exist such as employee assistance plans (EAPs) that can offer professional counseling for stress and post-traumatic stress injury. Investing in our people should be high on the to-do list of every EMS leader, as they are our most important – and expensive – asset. Setting aside budget monies for morale-building activities is an insurance policy against the staggering costs of having to replace personnel or settle a lawsuit.
3 ways for EMS leaders to address social media misuse
Perhaps the immediate to-dos here are:
- Review social media policies – governing the expectations of employees and those of individuals that may post to an agency-controlled site.
- Conduct social media in-service training – there are now plenty of examples of what both to do and not to do in existence.
- Invest in morale-building programs to establish or continue a great vibe to deter those who may be disgruntled from turning to the ’net for an outlet.
While social media may provide instant gratification and attract an ever-increasing number of emoji responses, it is career-limiting, reputation-ending and erodes the public trust. There are other places to vent in confidence and with an offer of assistance, so let’s ensure both leaders and their personnel take that path.
