EMS Profile: Lynn B Klein
Published: Thu August 20, 2009
What's your current position?
I retired on June 29, 2006 but continue to work part time in the Vancouver Island Communication Centre for the British Columbia Ambulance Service. My role in the centre is as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD).
When did your first job commence as an EMS professional?
I began my EMS career in December of 1967 in Calgary, AB working for Starr's Ambulance Service (not to be confused with the current STARS air ambulance presently operating).
Why did you decide to pursue a career in EMS?
I did not choose this career. It chose me. I literally became involved in EMS by accident. I was tuning a friend's motorcycle when a car struck me. My leg was fractured and Starr's Ambulance picked me up. En route to hospital the medics found out I had a B.C. industrial first aid ticket and said they were desperately looking for qualified people. I was working in the oil patch at the time making huge money but with a leg in a cast I was out for the time so I gave EMS a shot by working in the Starr's call centre (well, actually it was more like a call closet). I became hooked on wanting to help people in need.
Who was the biggest inspiration to you when you were first starting in EMS?
A person now deceased by the name of Bob Connolly. Bob was with Starr's for many years, and we took up an instant friendship. It was Bob who encouraged me to become a medic. Even at a $1.35 per hour the idea had a very strong pull. Over my 42 years, many others locally, nationally and internationally have dramatically influenced my personal and professional life.
Please provide a brief description of your career.
• 1967-1968 Starr's Ambulance Calgary, AB.
• 1968-1969 Universal Ambulance Service and Arron Ambulance and Resuscitation Service in Calgary, AB.
• 1970-1972 Garden City Ambulance Service Victoria, B.C.
• In 1973, I spent almost the entire year doing a research project for the Government of B.C. on the creation of a provincial ambulance service with my colleague Larry Tuttle. We submitted a report entitled Twice an Orphan.
• From 1974 to present, I have been with the British Columbia Ambulance Service (BCAS). During my career I have held positions as a paramedic, paramedic instructor, the first superintendent of media and public relations for the BCAS, and I have presented at local, national and international conferences. I have also written many articles for EMS publications.
What is your most memorable situation while on the job?
On December 25, 1972 with my partner George Moffat, I delivered twin girls. I have other memories, but like many events in EMS they are memorable for all the wrong reasons.
What's the biggest challenge facing EMS today?
It is a lack of funding and lack of public perception of the vital role EMS plays in both public safety and public health. While we have perhaps moved from being an orphan of public safety and health EMS, with few exceptions, still does not command the same level of attention our colleagues in fire and law enforcement are accorded by politicians and the public. If you need to see an example of what I'm speaking of, take a look at the fire and police stations in your city or community, then take a look at where many EMS crews are housed.
Fire and police have the World Police and Fire Games. EMS/EHS (unless attached to a fire or police agency) is exempt from such a high profile event. There are endless examples of how police and fire have captured the attention of their public and political masters, including wages and benefits.
If you could change one thing in EMS, what would it be?
It is actually on the same topic by two items. The title of "dispatcher" should be changed to emergency medical resource coordinator (EMRC). The title "dispatcher" is long passed as a reference of what is done in a modern EMS communication centre. It is like using "ambulance driver" to describe the role of present day paramedics. The other change is still about communications.
A national medal and ribbon for communication personnel should be created. Most would not qualify for the EMS ESM because they have not served for 10 years in a capacity of risk. This is a huge oversight.
What's your favourite tool/technology available to EMS professionals and why?
The Internet. Through this medium all of us in the EMS profession can keep up to date and find out almost instantly about virtually anything we need to know about our profession, past and present and even some great ideas for the future. It is also a huge source of information about EMS from all over the world. However, I still greatly enjoy journals such Canadian Emergency News and other printed materials.
What does the future of EMS look like?
It will greatly depend on how well the EMS profession entrenches itself in the minds of our political and health care leaders, and the general public. Perception becomes reality in the mind's eye.
Paramedics see a lot of strange things in their work. What's the funniest thing you've witnessed in EMS?
It was during the 1993 Vancouver Interphase conference. The conference occurred the same time as the Clinton –Yeltsin summit. As part of the public display, the BCAS landed one of its Bell 222 medevac choppers at the museum across from the conference hotel in Vancouver. This was a restricted air space and caused a horde of secret service and other law enforcement personnel to descend on the site as the chopper was landing. As the chopper got lower to the huge water fountain and cherry trees in full blossom the rotor wash caused a huge mist from the fountain mixed with cherry blossoms blown from the trees and deposited them on a large group of secret service men dressed in black. They looked at each other in amazement, or shock, not sure which, and promptly left the area, no questions asked.
What do you do when you're not working?
I am the proud parent of five grown children, six grandchildren and one great grandchild. The only real thing in life is family. Much of my time is spent with family. I also derive great enjoyment from designing special pins and insignia for various organizations, including most of the insignia and special pins for the BCAS. I'm an avid cyclist, and work out most every day as part of my general lifestyle. Keeping in shape is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a long career in EMS.
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