Dear EMS Brothers & Sisters,
Please allow me a couple minutes of your time to introduce myself. My name is Eric Sanders. I grown up and lived in Kansas all my life. I have one son, Christian, who still lives in Iola with me. I have been actively involved in EMS since I first gained certification as an EMT in 1994.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you across this great state for what you do every day of your lives. I have always maintained that it takes an extraordinary person to work in the EMS profession. There are few professions out there that take as much dedication as this one does. We have all missed our sons’ or daughters’ first steps or words. We have missed numerous birthdays’, programs, Holiday’s, etc.. to do our jobs. Christopher Reeve once said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” This absolutely signifies you who have chosen EMS as your profession. I tip my hat to each of you and wipe my eyes for those we have lost in this profession. Your passion for your fellow man does not go unrecognized in my eyes!!
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for giving me the opportunity to serve YOU as President of KEMTA. I look forward to the challenge, as well as the opportunity to represent KEMTA in such a manner. It is an overwhelming honor to be in this position and you have my word that I will represent each and every one of you with the utmost respect and dignity that I represent myself. It is important for you all to understand that KEMTA is because of YOU, and not our Board of Director’s or itself!
As I am sure you are all aware, times are a changin’! There are many questions and concerns in regards to these changes. Your KEMTA Board will do it’s best to ensure we can help with this process and adapt to changes as they become reality. As our organization grows, your Board will grow along with it. Therefore changes to our organization are a must. As these changes occur, not only within our organization, but state wide too, our Board will hold your interests close at heart as we make difficult decisions. Because of you, KEMTA WILL not only survive theses changes, but we will be an active part of these changes.
I have listened to many of your concerns and complaints while at Conference 2011. Your voice was heard and not forgotten. Therefore, there are a few changes our Board has voted on in regards to these concerns. The board has determined that we MUST do a better job communicating our efforts. Therefore, in the next few weeks, you will notice our web-site will be changing and more up-to-date. We have discussed many other ideas concerning communication, education, and accountability. Please watch for these issues to be addressed throughout the year.
It is my belief that no one organization should be coming up with all the answers. The answers to the fate of Kansas EMS lies with US. We cannot expect the Board of EMS to stand alone on a tree branch that is already weakened by those who have become accustomed to voicing their concerns and complaints, but not having the “time” to aid in developing a solution. I urge all of you to do your part in this effort of change. While I do understand your concerns in regards to the financial impact it may have on your communities, I also understand that when change comes our way, we have two options: We can grasp and embrace the change, or we can choose to get steam rolled by it. Therefore I plead with every technician in the state to become active in your supporting organizations and to become a voice within Kansas EMS. Once again, I tip my hat to those who have worked countless hours, and missed numerous family hours to be a part of this change. Please show your support to them the next time you see them, by shaking their hand and saying “Thank You.” After all, Thank You is something seldom heard in our profession.
In closing, I leave you with this thought,
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act but a habit.”
Aristotle
I once again thank you for the opportunity to serve as YOUR KEMTA President.
Best Regards,
Eric Sanders
KEMTA President
Please allow me a couple minutes of your time to introduce myself. My name is Eric Sanders. I grown up and lived in Kansas all my life. I have one son, Christian, who still lives in Iola with me. I have been actively involved in EMS since I first gained certification as an EMT in 1994.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you across this great state for what you do every day of your lives. I have always maintained that it takes an extraordinary person to work in the EMS profession. There are few professions out there that take as much dedication as this one does. We have all missed our sons’ or daughters’ first steps or words. We have missed numerous birthdays’, programs, Holiday’s, etc.. to do our jobs. Christopher Reeve once said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” This absolutely signifies you who have chosen EMS as your profession. I tip my hat to each of you and wipe my eyes for those we have lost in this profession. Your passion for your fellow man does not go unrecognized in my eyes!!
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for giving me the opportunity to serve YOU as President of KEMTA. I look forward to the challenge, as well as the opportunity to represent KEMTA in such a manner. It is an overwhelming honor to be in this position and you have my word that I will represent each and every one of you with the utmost respect and dignity that I represent myself. It is important for you all to understand that KEMTA is because of YOU, and not our Board of Director’s or itself!
As I am sure you are all aware, times are a changin’! There are many questions and concerns in regards to these changes. Your KEMTA Board will do it’s best to ensure we can help with this process and adapt to changes as they become reality. As our organization grows, your Board will grow along with it. Therefore changes to our organization are a must. As these changes occur, not only within our organization, but state wide too, our Board will hold your interests close at heart as we make difficult decisions. Because of you, KEMTA WILL not only survive theses changes, but we will be an active part of these changes.
I have listened to many of your concerns and complaints while at Conference 2011. Your voice was heard and not forgotten. Therefore, there are a few changes our Board has voted on in regards to these concerns. The board has determined that we MUST do a better job communicating our efforts. Therefore, in the next few weeks, you will notice our web-site will be changing and more up-to-date. We have discussed many other ideas concerning communication, education, and accountability. Please watch for these issues to be addressed throughout the year.
It is my belief that no one organization should be coming up with all the answers. The answers to the fate of Kansas EMS lies with US. We cannot expect the Board of EMS to stand alone on a tree branch that is already weakened by those who have become accustomed to voicing their concerns and complaints, but not having the “time” to aid in developing a solution. I urge all of you to do your part in this effort of change. While I do understand your concerns in regards to the financial impact it may have on your communities, I also understand that when change comes our way, we have two options: We can grasp and embrace the change, or we can choose to get steam rolled by it. Therefore I plead with every technician in the state to become active in your supporting organizations and to become a voice within Kansas EMS. Once again, I tip my hat to those who have worked countless hours, and missed numerous family hours to be a part of this change. Please show your support to them the next time you see them, by shaking their hand and saying “Thank You.” After all, Thank You is something seldom heard in our profession.
In closing, I leave you with this thought,
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act but a habit.”
Aristotle
I once again thank you for the opportunity to serve as YOUR KEMTA President.
Best Regards,
Eric Sanders
KEMTA President