Being a paramedic is notoriously tough, especially during a global pandemic.
Yet, a video of two ambulance workers having some light-hearted fun during their break was met with opprobrium online.
Two British paramedics, Rhianna Higgins and Hattie Proctor, are facing backlash after they posted a video on TikTok showing them dancing in the back of an ambulance while on duty, with the caption: “Little boogie on break.”
In the video, the two women can be seen enjoying a quick dance during their break from their job at the Yorkshire Ambulance Service. However, the video has since gone viral and has sparked outrage from some people who felt that the paramedics should not be enjoying themselves while on duty.
Despite the backlash, Higgins defended the video, saying they were on break and just having a little fun. She proudly shared the video, which quickly spread across social media with hashtags like #emergency, #uniform, and #999. The latter is the British equivalent of the 911 phone number.
However, not everyone was amused by the video. Some social media users criticized the two paramedics, claiming that they were being unprofessional and not focusing on their job. One user even went as far as to say, “Now I know why my nan didn’t make it.”
Others questioned why the paramedics were making TikTok videos in the first place, and why they were using the ambulance for the video while in uniform.
One person asked, “Shouldn’t you be saving lives?” With one critic wrote, “And people wonder why it takes three hours for one to turn up.”
“Wow, god help us all if we call 999 when all they think about is TikTok,” another user added.
Despite the negative comments, there were still many people who defended the two paramedics, pointing out that they were on break and that they deserved to have a little fun. Some even praised the video for bringing a smile to their faces.
One fan wrote, “Great video, clearly states they were on a break! Probably trying to relax after saving a life!”
The Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust later released a statement regarding the incident, reminding its employees of their social media policy. The policy states that “at no time will using social media be allowed to take priority for the staff member; their treatment of patients and the ‘day job’ will always come first.”
While the incident has sparked controversy and outrage, it also raises questions about the appropriate use of social media in the workplace. It is important for employees to remember that their actions on social media can reflect on their employer and may impact the public’s perception of the organization.
While the video may have been controversial, it is a reminder that even paramedics need a break from their demanding and stressful job. However, it is crucial that they exercise caution and discretion when it comes to sharing content on social media. It is important to maintain professionalism and remember that their top priority is the safety and well-being of their patients.
WATCH the video below:
@rhiannahiggins0 Little boogie on break 🕺💃 #fyp #foryoupage #999 #crew #crewbies #emergency #uniform #dance
Sources: AWM, Dailymail, Greenlemon