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Sirens, Lights, and Lawyers: The Law & Other Really Important Stuff EMS Providers Never Learned in School
David Givot, a former paramedic turned EMS Defense lawyer, presents an engaging, informative, and irreverent guide for EMS providers at any stage of their career. Sirens, Lights, and Lawyers demystifies the law, lawyers, and risks affecting emergency medical services, equipping you with the knowledge and understanding to navigate the legal and personal challenges that arise in your day-to-day work.
This easy-to-understand, far-from-boring guide tackles both basic and complex legal concepts, with real-life examples and practical advice on how to manage or avoid legal pitfalls. Beyond the law, David also explores topics such as leadership, mental health, interacting with lawyers and courtrooms, and other vital aspects of the EMS profession.
Sirens, Lights, and Lawyers is written for those EMS providers who aspire to excel in their field, continually improve their practice, and lead the next generation in delivering exceptional service to the patients and communities who rely on them. Discover how to protect yourself, better serve your patients, and confidently navigate the ever-evolving legal landscape of EMS with this indispensable resource.
This easy-to-understand, far-from-boring guide tackles both basic and complex legal concepts, with real-life examples and practical advice on how to manage or avoid legal pitfalls. Beyond the law, David also explores topics such as leadership, mental health, interacting with lawyers and courtrooms, and other vital aspects of the EMS profession.
Sirens, Lights, and Lawyers is written for those EMS providers who aspire to excel in their field, continually improve their practice, and lead the next generation in delivering exceptional service to the patients and communities who rely on them. Discover how to protect yourself, better serve your patients, and confidently navigate the ever-evolving legal landscape of EMS with this indispensable resource.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2023
31 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 18, 2025
What a book. Difficult to read, difficult to finish, but needed.
David Givot, Esquire, is the lawyer that every paramedic needs, because he also is a practicing paramedic. He breaks down the components of the law and all that applies to pre hospital providers. Simple, easy to parse, he very adroitly maneuvers between the definitions, the legality and reasoning for the case law. He avoids the paragod speaking, and even avoids the lawyerly speak.
He closes the book with an overview of real life depression, anxiety, and PTSD that effects EMS providers. It was needed and it felt a little closer than I'd like to what I'm feeling currently. So maybe I got to talk to someone professionally.
Good book that was needed at this point and time.
David Givot, Esquire, is the lawyer that every paramedic needs, because he also is a practicing paramedic. He breaks down the components of the law and all that applies to pre hospital providers. Simple, easy to parse, he very adroitly maneuvers between the definitions, the legality and reasoning for the case law. He avoids the paragod speaking, and even avoids the lawyerly speak.
He closes the book with an overview of real life depression, anxiety, and PTSD that effects EMS providers. It was needed and it felt a little closer than I'd like to what I'm feeling currently. So maybe I got to talk to someone professionally.
Good book that was needed at this point and time.
August 5, 2023
Easy read but basic advice
I was excited to read this book because it promised to tell me “all the legal things they didn’t tell you in school.” Unfortunately, that promise rang hollow. While it is certainly worth a read and has some interesting case studies, the basic tenets of endeavoring to do a good job and not getting lazy seem pretty rudimentary and straightforward. I was always taught in EMT school to never assume- is that really the secret sauce this book is selling? Maybe I just had really good instructors?
That said, I did enjoy the book and especially the case studies, but I was expecting it to be more academic in nature as far as what you can and cannot do. This is more like advice from a seasoned medic/lawyer on the stupid things practitioners do on a regular basis and why you should stay away from that. If you were interested enough to read this book, you’re the type of person who already knows why those things are stupid and you don’t need a book to remind you.
Overall, I think it’s a good, easy read. I’d recommend it to the good ole “I’m 3 months into my new EMT job and now I know everything!” employee. But if you’re looking for new information or nuances of EMS law, this isn’t quite it.
I was excited to read this book because it promised to tell me “all the legal things they didn’t tell you in school.” Unfortunately, that promise rang hollow. While it is certainly worth a read and has some interesting case studies, the basic tenets of endeavoring to do a good job and not getting lazy seem pretty rudimentary and straightforward. I was always taught in EMT school to never assume- is that really the secret sauce this book is selling? Maybe I just had really good instructors?
That said, I did enjoy the book and especially the case studies, but I was expecting it to be more academic in nature as far as what you can and cannot do. This is more like advice from a seasoned medic/lawyer on the stupid things practitioners do on a regular basis and why you should stay away from that. If you were interested enough to read this book, you’re the type of person who already knows why those things are stupid and you don’t need a book to remind you.
Overall, I think it’s a good, easy read. I’d recommend it to the good ole “I’m 3 months into my new EMT job and now I know everything!” employee. But if you’re looking for new information or nuances of EMS law, this isn’t quite it.
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August 31, 2023A must read books for anyone in EMS
I have been a paramedic for 20+ years. I wish this book was available when I started my career. It debunks some of the lies we've been told in EMT and paramedic school and it also highlights how we inflict our own injuries.
Most people aren't fond of lawyers for one reason or another, myself included, but Mr. Givot still has a medic's heart and that is reflected in his writing. Spend the $10-$20 on this book. You won't regret it!
I have been a paramedic for 20+ years. I wish this book was available when I started my career. It debunks some of the lies we've been told in EMT and paramedic school and it also highlights how we inflict our own injuries.
Most people aren't fond of lawyers for one reason or another, myself included, but Mr. Givot still has a medic's heart and that is reflected in his writing. Spend the $10-$20 on this book. You won't regret it!
October 8, 2025
It definitely feels like it's written by a lawyer (because it is). The case studies were interesting, but they were only the middle third of the book. The first third of the book was definitions. I got bored in this section and put the book down for a while. The last third of the book was advice you should already know: don't be biased, do a full assessment, treat appropriately, document everything, and don't abandon your patient.
June 12, 2023
Medic Needs A Medic
If you’re in the EMS profession and don’t read this. You’re a slacker medic. Be better to do better. Enjoy. Stay safe out there.
If you’re in the EMS profession and don’t read this. You’re a slacker medic. Be better to do better. Enjoy. Stay safe out there.
August 3, 2023
outstanding advice and humor
Told with the right amount of quotable insight and reflection sprinkled with humor.Recommend this as required reading in my Paramedic class
Told with the right amount of quotable insight and reflection sprinkled with humor.Recommend this as required reading in my Paramedic class
September 7, 2023
A must read for all EMS providers! Eye opener to many legal aspects to our profession and how to best prepare yourself.
October 10, 2025
there seems so be no organization, just a conglomeration of (useful, valuable) thoughts and information
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews