NewsBlues mrsbgrammar Page 75
Chapter 2 Word Choice
65
terms for emergency services personnel
If you use the term "ambulance driver," Mrs. B's lesson today is for
you.
That's a term that hasn't been used in the emergency services field
for more than 30 years.
Today's "ambulance driver" is, by law, a certified EMERGENCY
MEDICAL TECHNICIAN, or EMT.
While every PARAMEDIC is an Emergency Medical Technician,
not all EMTs have the advanced skills to certify them as paramedics.
So, use the term EMT or just "medical personnel" unless you know
for sure that the person you're talking about is a paramedic.
Call FIREFIGHTERS just that when they're fighting a fire and
RESCUERS when they're responding to an accident.
The general term EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL covers
firefighters, EMTs, and police.
ESU stands for EMERGENCY SERVICES UNIT.
It's a type of utility truck with rescue and medical equipment and
personnel on it.
PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS are certified in more than one
specialty, like law enforcement and fire fighting or EMS.
Mrs. B admits she'll win some brownie points with her brother-in-
law for this lesson.
He's a paramedic in the Charleston, West Virginia, area and a valued
relative, especially at family reunions.
