Ethics

Ethics are the moral principles that govern EMS providers' behavior in service to their profession, organization and community.

The EMT Code of Ethics, written by Charles B. Gillespie, M.D., and adopted by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, spells out the pledges for ethical behavior as an EMS practitioner, including, in part, "To provide services based on human need, with compassion and respect for human dignity, unrestricted by consideration of nationality, race, creed, color, or status; to not judge the merits of the patient’s request for service, nor allow the patient’s socioeconomic status to influence our demeanor or the care that we provide."

This code of ethics governs EMS providers' actions in regards to patient privacy, professional competence and education, and social media use.

The ethics topic contains news, strategies and expert-written articles for EMTs, AEMTs, paramedics, and EMS leaders on the importance of understanding ethics, acting ethically as a caregiver, ethical decision making as a field provider or leader, the consequences of unethical decisions and actions, and how to lead ethically.

Full list of Ethics results

Off-duty FDNY EMT allegedly burglarized dying landlord's apartment after rendering aid
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Police say the EMT stole more than $30,000 worth of belongings after assisting responding EMTs in getting him to the hospital
Fla. FF-medic under investigation for alleged part in Capitol siege
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The firefighter-paramedic was reportedly seen in a photograph outside Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office during the riot
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Conn. city orders probe of EMS chief after 'no confidence' vote
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A seven-page letter signed by more than two dozen EMTs accuses the chief of bullying, misuse of department funds and working another job while on duty with the department
Ore. FF resigns after allegedly stealing opioids from ambulance
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A preliminary investigation found that the firefighter may have falsified supply logs for at least 18 months
FF-medics in case of 'dead' woman found alive can regain licenses
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Michigan authorities say the medics involved in the case of Timesha Beauchamp, who was wrongly declared dead in August and died in a hospital in October, must pass a national exam to regain their licenses
Wash. city council approves settlement of claim by daughter of intubated dead man
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The city of Bellingham will pay $75,000 to the daughter of a man after fire department personnel practiced "tube checks" on the man's body after his death in an ambulance
Va. FF-medic found not guilty of assaulting patient in ambulance
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Fairfax County Firefighter-Paramedic Andrew Cruikshank was arrested in September after an altercation with a patient that was captured on police body camera
Mass. FF-EMT files gender discrimination lawsuit, says she was passed over for promotion
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Methuen Firefighter-EMT Tracy Blanchette, a 27-year department veteran and the city's first female firefighter, says a less experienced male firefighter was granted the promotion
Mich. woman wrongly declared dead in August dies
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According to her family's attorney, Timesha Beauchamp, 20, died in the hospital due to brain damage suffered in the August incident
The psychology behind provider vaccination
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Join us as we analyze what the results of a recent survey reveal about provider perceptions about COVID-19 and influenza vaccination
I’m an EMT, I can help: Getting involved when off-duty
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Five considerations for patient assessment, scene safety and patient handoff when responding off-duty
SC officials: EMT failed to take ethics class after allegedly posting photo of dead patient
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The former Greenwood County EMT had his certification suspended for an additional two years in connection with the alleged 2018 photo incident
Survey: EMS respondents less likely to get COVID-19 vaccine than the general public
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3 takeaways from our recent survey on EMS influenza and COVID-19 vaccination policies, practices and perceptions
Video: Va. firefighter charged with assaulting patient in ambulance
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Fairfax County Firefighter Andrew Cruikshank was charged and is on administrative leave after a police body-worn camera captured an altercation with the patient
Will you be vaccinated for COVID-19?
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Share your thoughts on frontline providers' ethical obligation to be vaccinated for COVID-19
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