EP 971 – EMS Workers At Risk

They are true heroes in our public healthcare system. They save lives daily in communities across Canada, US and around the world.

At some point, many of us may need to rely on the skill and abilities of these EMS workers.

However, our EMS workers are at risk.

Funding cuts to healthcare have resulted in increased workloads. They deal with shift-work stress and burnout. And they are at great risk for PTSD.

When extremely difficult and life-threatening situations are mixed with common everyday stressors, it can be hard to effectively cope.

So Here are today’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Emergency Medical Services Week:

While EMS workers are trained to care for others, when it comes to their own well-being, the training may be lacking.

• If you are an EMS worker, loss of sleep, and not eating on a regular schedule can push you over the edge. Be very focused on ensuring that these basic needs are taken care of.
• Find ways to vent and talk through highly emotional calls. It is tough to manage when you can’t share these situations with your family and friends who are our usual natural supporters, so it is important to make use of colleagues and other workplace resources to manage this stress.

And finally, to combat burnout, focus on an attitude of gratitude, and increasing your awareness of the positive aspects of your life.

Remember, If you like the tips in this briefing, please leave me a review on amazon or in your #alexa app.

For more information on coping with mental health issues, sign up for one of my on-line courses at worksmartlivesmart.com under the resources and courses tab.