Kevin Hazzard Paramedics

Kevin Hazzard’s article “Paramedics are taught not to risk their lives after mass shootings. They should.,” gives his opinion on paramedics not being allowed to enter a crime scene in which could potentially put their lives in danger. Who is Kevin Hazzard and why is his opinion relevant? First off, Hazzard was a paramedic himself for about ten years. In his article, he refers back to incidents during his career where it was extremely difficult to not put his own life in danger while also trying to save the victims life.
One specific memory he touches on involves a scenario given by his instructor while he was in training. He and his partner failed the given task by unknowingly killing themselves before even getting to help the victim. The …show more content…
They should.,” was written August 1st, about two months post the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. 49 people were dead and according to Hazzard, some could have been saved if Paramedics were allowed to enter the scene right after the mass shooting. The author speaks to a general audience about a news issue shared to the public. If paramedics were allowed on the scene the night of the shooting at Pulse nightclub, a lot more lives could’ve been saved. He gives a strong argument that the approach emergency responders have now are “outdated”, and that it is nearly impossible to not put your life in danger while trying to save a victim’s life. Hazzard uses logos as he compares the two tragedies of the Orlando and Colorado shootings. Paramedics on the scene stayed away from the area until it considered “safe” for them to enter. Meanwhile, victims were inside dying. This was because EMS departments make the lives of the crew members very important. This refers back to his instructor’s lesson on the safety of both the emergency responder and the victim. A medic cannot save a victim’s life if he is not looking out for his own as well. This approach is indeed logical, but is it effective enough to help victims the best way that they