Police, Fire, EMS and other Public Services - I've got a question

[10eckid]

I'm an EMT and this has been on my mind for a long time, I guess ever since the bird flu was going around a few years ago. But lets say that another flu pandemic with a high mortality rate or another virus, maybe ebola or HIV, evolves to be airbourne transmitted, also with a high mortality rate.

At what point in time does your commitment to your family overcome your commitment to society? How bad does it have to get before you quit going to work and you start concentrating on your family's survival?

I've often thought that as soon as it gets near my area that I'd keep me and mine isolated at the farm, but I also know that I'd more than likely tell them to stay isolated at the farm and I'd probably work anyway. Like when tornados come thru, I put them in the basement and I go to work. But I don't want to risk bringing home the infection. Who knows what I'd do until the situation arises. Its a conundrum. That is why I wanted input from others to see what their ideas are.

[TennOutdoors]

not being an EMT or others, Id stay isolated. how ever, any EMT, Doctor, LEO or what have you. that at risk to life and isolation from their own family to keep serving the public, do what they could to save as many as possible. has my respect and shows that some people still have something greater to believe in that drives them.

Ive seen on other boards people express comments that shows me alot of people have no real belief system. or rather they dont believe in anything strong enough to stand up for it, and to hold tight to it when things get bad.

guess im old fashioned, Protect the weak and the innocent. help where you can, and do the best you can at all times.

did any of that make sense LOL.

[Domdabears]

Good question. I have thought of this too.
I guess I'm with you, and that I would start acting this way as soon as it hits my town and especially my neighborhood.

[Domdabears]

Also, since you're an EMT, if this did happen and it was a giant nation wide pandemic, would you get into some serious trouble with authorities since your job is to care for people and you decide to go AWOL?
Just asking.

[10eckid]

Probably, but its not like the military, all they can do is fire me. But that is exactly what I'm saying, how long do you contine to work? Till 10%, 50%, 75% of the population is dead. Till I get sick? When does your responsibility to your family override your responsibilities to society?

[TennOutdoors]

its a great moral dilemma. I know personally Id do what i could for people till I knew it was hopeless. would I be happy about that no. but a man or woman can only do so much.

[monet861]

Very good question and definitly something to think about. I have considered joining the local CERT many times, but your question is the main reason I have not signed up. I would like the extra training and experience, but if things are bad, whether it is a natural disaster or terrorist attack in Chicago, I want to be able to worry about my family first and foremost and if LEO or anyone else needs my help and I know that my family is safe, then I can help. I view this as maybe a little selfish, but then, at least in my mind, I am not shirking any duties to protect the family. But, that's just my opinion.

[Iron mike]

their would only have to be a loose rumor before I cut off all but the minimum contact with the outside world and after the worst of it I would be the first in a hazmat suit starting the ever cleansing bonfires family first

[Oscar Wilde]

.... At what point in time does your commitment to your family overcome your commitment to society? How bad does it have to get before you quit going to work and you start concentrating on your family's survival?

Immediately .... if you become a carrier then you're of no help to your family .... shortly thereafter you may become a statistic.

O.W.

[Iron mike]

Immediately .... if you become a carrier then you're of no help to your family .... shortly thereafter you may become a statistic.

O.W.

well said O.W I would rather it was me looking after my family instead of FEMA their track record isn't very good

[Ernie50]

I have given this scenario a lot of thought. I'm a deputy currently working in the jail. After reading policy/procedure, I know that I will be taking care of my family. The county's idea is to lock us in with the inmates and we all die together. I'm not going out like that!

[10eckid]

The county's idea is to lock us in with the inmates and we all die together. I'm not going out like that!

You have got to be kidding me!!!
I wouldn't want to go out like that either.

[kentuckyshiner85]

This is a very good topic. I am not an emt, nor do work for any other agency. I would personally pull the plug if thwre was a chance if I could tranfer ir to my family. my family comes first. As long as they are out of danger I would continue to do my job. I can understand the trouble of this scenario. Makes one think.

[brewer101]

In the best case scenerios local goverments will try and give what community support they can. In the situation here they have committed to supporting first responders and support staffs (incident management teams) and their families. When the pandemic flu was starting they were going to procure vaccines for these groups and their families so that responders could respond and not worry about their families. I have seen the same things in flood events were my manager was willing to let me help out friends in need and instead of coming in to work. Of course in larger scale events this tension between civic duty and family gets tighter. I say family first but do what you can to prepare in a way to help others out.

[myakka]

I have a great experience with this. When hurricane Charlie came through it tore a wall off of our house with me, my wife, and our son inside. We literally had to run to my parents house as the eye was over us because we didnt know if the rest of the house was coming down or not.
The next day I went to work to see what the plan was. (I work for an agency that does emergency response to large scale things like wildfires and hurricanes....
To his credit, one of the big bosses came down to our work area to check on us, when he heard about my house he asked what I was doing at work. I told him that my family was ok for the moment staying at mom and dad's.
He told me to go home and not come in until my house was dried in and livable. (With pay mind you) He also sent two other guys and a bunch of tarps and roofing material to help do a temporary fix on my house immediatly. We not only dried in my house, but a small part of my dad's roof, and an elderly neighbor who didn't have anyone to help her.
This boss was known for being difficult. He could be condascending and rude in normal circumstances. But I will always appreciate that when SHTF he was very human.
He told me I would be much more effective helping others if I had the peace of mind that my family and my home were OK.
Dont know about everyone else's situation, but our agency has a plan that if an area is affected then those folks are not supposed to be part of the response/ recovery plan.
Makes me feel a lot better.