From: lorenzo@hsi.com (Evelyn Lorenzo)
Subject: Re: Why do Americans get so little vacation time?
Keywords: work vacation
Organization: 3M Health Information Systems, Wallingford, CT
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 14:18:07 GMT

In article <36819@sdcc12.ucsd.edu> cote@cs.ucsd.edu (Brad Cote) writes:
>brent@telebit.com (Brent Chapman) writes:
>
>
>>Another problem with many companies is how they deal with employees who
>>are also volunteer emergency services workers.
>
>>I'm a volunteer emergency transport, disaster relief, and search and
>>rescue pilot with the Civil Air Patrol.  I'm on call for emergency
>>flying missions; 
>
>Hey, I love to fly also (and have a private pilot's licence). But it's
>expensive. If you want to donate your time so that you can fly (for
>free, staying current, building time for commercial, etc) that is your
>business. I see no reason why you should get paid leave to participate
>in an organization which brings you a sense of pride and
>accomplishment. I'm sure flying beats the hell out of working.
>
>If you worked in the same company as I did, and got paid leave for
>'volunteer' fun, I would insist on the same benefits.
>
>>-Brent
>
>				Brad Cote'
>				University of California, San Diego
>				STARE Project


THAT'S THE SPIRIT, BRAD!!!   

I don't mean to completely flame you, but I get the feeling you sort of 
MISSED THE POINT!!!   

Brent's "volunteer fun", as you put it, is in the interest and for the benefit
of his fellow human beings - THAT MEANS YOU AND ME.  His missions are not 
"joy rides", Brad.  If that's what he were after, I'd agree with you 
completely.  The way I understand Brent's point is that EMS and disaster relief
volunteer workers should be given the same benefits in the workplace as many 
of our National Guard members and members of the Reserves.  When these people 
are called away it is in the line of duty to serve us, as a country, and 
preserve the safety of our communities and families and, in fact, our country.  The way I see it, Brent's work is much the same - but perhaps a bit more 
personalized.  You see, he might take care of you, your brother, sister, 
parents, other family members or neighbors in the event he should be needed.  
He does this of his own accord, yes, but it is always for the benefit of 
someone else in his community.  And yes, I'm sure he does receive a sense of 
pride and accomplishment from his endeavors.  I think he should.  After all, 
what he does is for others.  Some people only get that same sense of 
accomplishment and pride by sinking it on the 18th!!!  (I hope Brent has time 
for some of that, too! :-))  

If you don't realize how crucial flight is to EMS, perhaps you can do some 
research into flight programs or visit a fire station or hospital where the
helicopters touch down or pick-up victims and talk to the flight nurses,
pilots and paramedics on board.  You can check with you local fire house or
ambulance service to see if the flight crew in your area is doing any 
demonstrations in your area and where they will be.  I encourage you to go.  
I think you'll find it enlightening - I know I did.  

Flying can "beat the hell out of working", but every time Brent goes up, he 
may be risking his life.  That's not such a small price to pay for trying to 
help out.  Here in Connecticut, we just lost a pilot and flight nurse in a 
terrible accident involving one of our two Life Star helicopters.  They did 
a lot of good while they were here and touched many lives.  They will be 
remembered and missed.  

I think anyone wishing to demand the same benefits as Brent is asking
for should do it.  I'm sure they would need only demonstrate that his/her 
efforts be on a parallel level as far as community service with those of Brent 
and other EMS and emergency relief workers. 

Brad, please try to understand what I'm saying.  I think it would be 
truly unfortunate if you continue to devalue those who want to help us when 
we are in crisis.  I appreciate Brent's willingness to extend the use of his
skills to his community and hope you and his employer will, too.  

Evelyn Lorenzo, EMT-A
ARC and AHA CPR and First Aid Instructor (Volunteer, of course!! :-) :-)) 
Newsgroups: soc.culture.usa,misc.jobs.misc