Many of us loved the shooting game on Facebook. It was a bit of diversion that only a small group of Facebook friends could see. Guess the time of the next shooting. Closest guess won. No private information was given, no one got hurt, there was no national media attention. The game died because I was ordered to cease & desist for, at best, unclear reasons.
This very blog has been a bane to the EMS hierarchy. Apparently it has the reputation of "stirring the pot," a pot which apparently needs to remain unstirred. In reviewing the past dozens of articles written on here and the comments in the tag-box, I can't find any stories that might be considered "pot-stirring" (this current article notwithstanding). It's been a place to encourage others for professional improvement, point out a job well done, post photos from the Times-Picayune of us in silly poses, and cite links to other helpful EMS-related websites. How any of this is "pot-stirring" eludes me.
Therefore I find it fascinating that social media websites such this one exist unmolested: http://www.facebook.com/ProjectNOLA/posts/341940306666#!/ProjectNOLA. It is not my Facebook page and I have no idea who is involved with is creation or maintenance. It details crimes in the city as they happen, by someone who obviously has a radio scanner, with very specific information on who, what, where & when, etc. It also clearly has a large base of followers from the general public. Nowhere in the many comments and updates on it do I see a cease & desist request from any city entity. Further, it is just one of a myriad of similar online sources for the gory emergency responder details of the city in which we live and work. Here's another one, and another, and another, and another.
I was informed in one of my many cease & desist meetings that the internet is not the proper medium for letting out frustrations. It was recommended to go to a bar and bitch about work with my co-workers over a drink. Alternatives to such "therapy" were not explored. I must ask, is drinking & complaining the only approved method of stress reduction? After Hurricane Katrina I explained my own methods of decompressing to the CISD psychiatrists. One doctor called two other doctors so I could repeat my coping methods to them, namely writing about my experiences and channeling my frustration, sadness or joy into a productive medium. They were fascinated and encouraged me to continue doing so, saying "You obviously have a very effective way of coping with stress."
So, sorry for stirring the pot once more. Since websites such as the Facebook page above continue unbridled in their haste to inform the public with raw, unfiltered information for anyone to read and comment on, I will continue to feel justified for posting my own take on my EMS experiences. Until such public websites and social media are stopped from their own "violations," please do not single ME out as a troublemaker for my methods of dealing with stress and creativity by simply telling war stories.
There. I've said it.
-Fitz
6 comments:
That's funny. not haha funny but Ironic funny. They told me just the opposite. They told me I need to find other methods besides going to a bar with coworkers, drinking and swapping war stories. Then when I went back a few years ago I was told by "The Administration" I was a "nightmare employee" even though I had never had any disciplinary action and resigned with a full two week notice. There was absolutely no reason to NOT rehire me except for my "nightmare employee" status. I'm sure any "professional" advice to "go out and drink and swap war stories" would be frowned upon by the vast majority of medical professionals. Oh and let us not forget that little eensy teensy technical matter called HIPPA which forbids the discussion of patient care with ANYBODY except for those directly related to patient care or other designated (in writing) individuals. Your administration's encouragement to totally disregard FEDERAL LAW by going out and discussing patient care in a public place such as a bar while consuming alcohol is incomprehensible. With that being said it appears that your administration is a compilation of several very confused, indecisive, inconsiderate and unimaginative, rule bending to suit their needs individuals.
I'm finsihed.....for now....
So I lied. I wasn't finished. They also told me during my so-called "interview" they had no room for people who "made waves" or "cowboys". I guess the appearance of having a group of people follow your every command without any objections no matter how inane gives some a sense of empowerment. Looking back, I am glad the didn't hire me. Now I'm finished.
So your administration's orders were to stop writing and go get drunk.
That is correct, Chad. One particular article I wrote on another blog was singled out as inappropriate and after reviewing it I agreed and promptly removed it, even though the events it described occurred 17 years ago. I am happy to comply with any rules regarding confidentiality. I also agreed not to write anything disparaging about the service. I kept up that end of the agreement too. You will not find anything in my posts on any of my internet media over quite a few years that has anything but positive words about EMS. However, I take exception to rules that are arbitrarily created and/or enforced to single out an individual (me) when I held up my end of the deal in good faith.
Nah, no way this just couldn't happen in 2009, nah I just can't believe that, lol. Deloy a Cowboy come on everyone knows he was and Indian.
Well off to get some rum ,later
no comment i'm goiing drinking with Tman!! Thanks Fitz!!
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