The Iowa Department of Public Health has been under fire for its lack of oversight on the state’s EMS system. This article reports the department’s certification of an individual who had been convicted of numerous crimes in the past.
The issue of community trust in its EMS responders can conflict with the right of an individual to practice prehospital care. People who have paid their debt to society for the crimes they have committed should be entitled to an opportunity to serve with honor. In this specific case, the firefighter has not committed another crime in nine years, and was recognized for his performance by his department.
But does the string of good deeds overcome 23 convictions, including burglary, theft and drug possession? Can a community trust such a person to enter their homes and businesses during an emergency call? I’m not certain how this would play out in the court of public opinion.
As Skip Kirkwood points out in the article, conditions of probation can be very difficult to enforce, especially given the minimally staffed office in charge of such matters. This only adds an additional layer of concern.
Our nation’s values are rooted in individual freedoms, while protecting the health and safety of society. This case is an interesting study on how those values can be in conflict. How do you feel about this situation? Feel free to leave your comments below.
