Wednesday, April 18, 2007
** Indiana paramedic starts jail sentence
** East England ambulance bosses hopping mad over show calling medics poorly trained
** Former UK medic faces jail for swiping patients’ credit cards
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Tuesday morning marked the beginning of a one year jail sentence for a Huntington County, Indiana paramedic. The Herald Press (Beth Knoll/April 17) said Christopher M. Buckner, 37 is serving time in the clink on drug charges. Buckner pleaded guilty to lifting narcotics from ambulances and replacing them with saline. Once released, he will serve three years probation for the crimes which occurred between April 1, 2006, and Aug. 23, 2006. Buckner, who began working in EMS in 1991, has also been barred from practicing as an EMT.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** EMS bosses in east England are hopping mad over a television show claiming UK medics are poorly trained. That is the word from the Evening Star 24 (April 17) which quoted East of England Ambulance Service acting chief executive Anna Bennett as saying Tonight with Trevor McDonald was unnecessarily alarmist. EEAS medical director Dr. John Scott echoed Bennett’s comments, saying paramedic numbers have jumped by 30 per cent since 2002. Scott also noted emergency care practitioners (ECPs), who have an advanced skill set, have also been introduced.
** A former East Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic is facing jail, after stealing credit cards from deceased patients. This is Nottingham (April 17) said David Wright, 50, admitted pilfering the items from two separate men. In both cases, he then withdrew large sums of cash using the cards. Closed circuit television cameras provided evidence of Wright committing the crime while still in uniform. He is set to be sentenced next month.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
** Calgary EMS sets plan to free up ambulances
** UK military medic given national award
CANADA NEWS
** In an effort to prevent ambulances from being caught in ER crunches, Calgary EMS has decided to make use of Orange Alerts. CTV (April 16) said the code will be issued when there are only five units available for call. During alerts, rigs from Cochrane, Okotoks, High River, and Airdrie will be asked to help provide cover. In addition, patient flow coordinators will be stationed in hospitals to liaise between EMS and ER staff.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** A Swansea, Wales Royal Air Force medic has been named Paramedic of the Year 2007. This is South Wales (April 13) said the Ambulance Service Institute awarded Sergeant Rachel McDonald the honour for her part in an Afghanistan rescue. McDonald, 27, provided EMS care to a multinational group of 24 soldiers under siege in Helmand’s Sangin Valley. McDonald is currently based out of Lyneham, near Swindon. She is expected to receive her formal commendation in the House of Commons May 3. She will then return to serve in Afghanistan.
Monday, April 16, 2007
** UK medics need more training, health minister says
** South African EMS duo caught in flagrante
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** Britain’s Health Minister has admitted the country’s EMS staff are not always trained to perform the job they are sent to do. The Daily Record (April 16) quoted Andy Burham as making the comments on the The Tonight With Trevor McDonald program. Burham said remedies should be put into place. According to stats cited, half of frontline staff suffer from a lack of training. In addition, only 34 per cent of London Ambulance workers are qualified paramedics.
SOUTH AFRICA NEWS
** A pair of Kwa Zulu Natal ambulance workers is under investigation, after being accused of having sexual relations while on duty. The Independent (April 16) said the duo, who allegedly committed the act Thursday, were apparently caught by a passerby while the unit was in Pietermaritzburg. Health Department spokesman Chris Maxin said details on the incident are not yet available. Union spokesman Super Zuma said his organization was still waiting on corrobative evidence.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
** Bronson, Minnesota man charged for impersonating EMT
** British medics recruited to work in Queensland, Australia
** Sarajevo paramedics beaten after failing to aid heart attack patient
** Cheshire ambulance brass apologize for response time delay to murder
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Bronson, Minnesota man has been charged with impersonating an EMT. The Daily Reporter (April 12) said Damian Payne, 27, was tagged on fraud charges, felony possession of a tazer and use of a scanner to commit a felony. Payne was arrested February 15. If convicted on all charges, he could face over six years in jail.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** Cheshire’s North West Ambulance Service has apologized for failing to rapidly respond to a murder call. That is the word from This is Cheshire (Stephen Bailey/April 12) which quoted EMS bosses as saying they were uncertain what prompted the 16 minute response to the HMP Risley prison. According to the newspaper, medics were dispatched after a body was found in the prison’s stairwell on November 13, 2005. The man, Patrick Butler, later died. An investigation into the matter is ongoing.
AUSTRALIA NEWS
** An ongoing shortage of paramedics in Queensland has prompted EMS brass to recruit practitioners from England. The Courier Mail (Jodi Munro O’Brien/April 12) said over 100 providers have so far made the committment, with 5 already on the job. Since March 2006, demand for EMS workers in the state has risen 20.5 per cent. Ambulance Employees Australia Queensland secretary Stephen Crow said 250 new practitioners a year for the next five years are needed to right staffing levels.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA NEWS
** Two Sarajevo paramedic teams were beaten Thursday, after taking more than an hour to respond to a heart attack call. Jurnalo (April 12) said four medics sustained blows from five different people. All were related to the 52-year-old patient who later died. Although arrested, the attackers were later released by police. Assailant Edin Prutina said the assault began after they learned the EMS workers failed to respond because they were watching a soccer game.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
** Cornwall, Ontario area politicos seeking essential services tag for EMS
** Calgary, Alberta seeks to improve EMS response times
** Rio de Janeiro, Brazil medics carry guns to calls
** US military medics train Afghan military in combat medicine
CANADA NEWS
** Cornwall, Ontario area politicians are attempting to have EMS declared an essential service. The Standard Freeholder (April 11) said the tact is aimed at preventing labour disputes such as the recent paramedic strike. North Dundas Township is pushing the idea. Cornwall Mayor Alvin Runnalls, however, has demurred. He said he takes exception to other areas telling him what his city should do.
** Calgary EMS is seeking to improve response times. CTV (April 11) said the service is seeking to respond to life threatening calls in under eight minutes 90 per cent of the time. 2006 stats show the target was hit 78 per cent of the time. Pundits say ongoing city growth and the related understaffing are responsible for the numbers.
BRAZIL NEWS
** Rio de Janeiro military paramedics have taken to toting guns to ensure emergency transports are not interfered with by gangs. The Washington Post (Monte Reel/April 11) said practitioners carry both M-16s and 9 mm pistols to ward off violence in the city’s slums. Police officers as well, the providers are usually the only EMS workers who will answer calls in gang territory.
AFGHANISTAN NEWS
** US military medics are training Afghan National Army instructors (ANA) in combat medicine. The Media-Newswire (April 11) said the mentoring is aimed at having ANA teachers then train their own soldiers. Both Air Force and Army practitioners are overseeing ANA participants.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
** Australia’s Metropolitan Ambulance Service in hot water after allegedly refusing to transport several seriously ill patients
** Manitoba health review could see more effective and efficient EMS
** Fired New Brunswick paramedic to get back pay
CANADA NEWS
** An external review of Manitoba’s regional health authority system could result in EMS functioning better throughout the province. That, at least, is the possibility being dangled by the Paramedic Association of Manitoba (PAM). Chairman Eric Glass said he welcomed the audit. He said the look-see could provide opportunity to harmonize prehospital services. Currently, Manitoba has 11 different regional health authorities and over 30 licenced land ambulance operators. The level of EMS care varies depending on location.
** A fired New Brunswick paramedic will receive back pay reimbursement from his former employer. The Canadian Press (April 10) said Nashwaak-Keswick Ambulance Service Inc. worker Roger Ross will get about $4,936.50. Along with lost salary, the money also covers travel time costs and other incidentals. Ross was turfed last year after he publicly questioned the company’s finances. The province has since revoked Nashwaak’s licence. The RCMP are now investigating.
AUSTRALIA NEWS
** The Metropolitan Ambulance Service is coming under fire for refusing to transport several seriously ill patients. The Northern Territory News (Grant McArthur/April 11) said Victorian Premier Steve Bracks has ordered an investigation into the incidents. According to the newspaper, a November 26, 2006 call has garnered the most derision. On that date, medics refused to transport Greensborough resident Melinda Fort because they believed she had taken drugs;Fort was later diagnosed with an 6 mm aneurysm and spent five weeks in intensive care. An MAS spokesman said human error and failure to follow proper protocols likely promoted the problems.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
** Ohio paramedic suspended after allegedly stealing Albuterol
** 19-year-old female military medic killed
** Former New Zealand ambulance officer faces trial on sex charges
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Miamisburg, Ohio paramedic was placed on administrative leave last week, after allegedly stealing Albuterol. The Dayton Daily News (April 9) said Jack Ikerd was suspended last Wednesday. Police have charged Ikerd with taking two packages of the asthma medication, as well as $125 worth of inhalers.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** A 19-year-old female military medic has been killed in Iraq. The BBC (April 7) said Pte Eleanor Dlugosz died last Thursday after an explosion near Basra. Dlugosz, who was from Southampton, was a Class 1 medic. Three other people died in the blast.
NEW ZEALAND NEWS
** A former New Zealand ambulance officer has pleaded not guilty to charges he sexually assaulted several female patients. The New Zealand Herald (April 9) said the 33-year-old unnamed practitioner will now face trial for the incidents alleged to have happened between
1999 and 2000. According to the newspaper, the man, who is still an active health care worker, mounted his attacks while the ambulance was in transit to hospital.
Monday, April 9, 2007
** Former Alhambra, California medic killed in Iraq
** Yorkshire Ambulance Service sat-nav thefts continue to climb
** Kuwait medics move away from Saddam Hussein military style uniforms
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A former Alhambra, California EMT has been killed while serving in Iraq. The Associated Press (April 9) said Army Staff Sgt. Darrell Griffin Jr died March 21 while in a small arms fire skirmish in Baghdad. Griffin, 36, joined the Army National Guard in 1999 and the Army in 2001. He was on his second Iraqi combat tour at the time of his death. He leaves behind a wife Diana.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** The theft of at least 100 Yorkshire Ambulance Service satellite navigation systems is endangering patient lives. That is the word from the Yorkshire Post (Martin Slack/April 7) which said the heists, active since last July, are planned robberies. YAS bosses say units are usually lured on bogus calls to facilitate the break-ins. Ambulances are then taken off the road for around a week so they can be repaired.
KUWAIT NEWS
** The Ministry of Health has finally decided to change the look of current ambulance uniforms. The Kuwait Times (April 9) said the decision comes after medics complained the outfits resembled those of the military under Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Subjected to ridicule from foreigners because of cases of mistaken identity, practitioners said rendering proper EMS care had become unnecessarily difficult.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
** Two Toronto medics en route to earthquake ravaged Solomon Islands
** Charlotte, NC practitioners contending with brick throwing vandals
** Four Greenock, Renfrewshire medics disciplined after doctoring run sheets
** Japanese emergency response times suffering
CANADA NEWS
** Two Toronto paramedics are on their way to the Solomon Islands to aid earthquake striken residents there. The Toronto Sun (Jack Boland/April 5) said the duo left Wednesday for Brisbane, Australia. From there, they will head to the hardest hit areas. Working on behalf of Global Medic and Liberty Wellness, the pair will distribute water purificiation tablets and systems.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Charlotte, North Carolina medics are increasingly contending with brick throwing vandals. News 14 Carolina (April 5) said the practice, which is becoming increasingly common, damaged several emergency vehicles last week travelling along Interstate 85. On Tuesday of this week, rocks smashed the windshield of an ambulance journeying to an emergency call.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** The January death of a female chest pains patient has prompted an ongoing disciplinary process against four Greenock, Renfrewshire medics. That is the word from the Daily Record (April 5) which said one female Scottish Ambulance Service practitioner has been suspended for the past three months. According to the newspaper, the four EMS workers may have falsified run sheets by claiming certain drugs were administered when it fact they were later found in practitioner’s locker.
JAPAN NEWS
** Emergency ambulance responses across the country are apparently suffering, with one report saying 14.4 per cent of Tokyo residents wait at least one hour for medics to arrive. The stat is 5 per cent for the rest of the country. Kawasaki Municipal Ida Hospital Dr. Atsushi Suzuki said several factors are fuelling the problem, including a decrease in hospitals, as well as bogus help hailers.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
** Two Texas paramedics suspended for allegedly covering up for drunken colleague
** Pennsylvania man charged with assaulting female medic
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A pair of Texas paramedics, who attempted to cover-up for an intoxicated colleague, have been placed on administrative leave. That is the word from the American-Statesman (Tony Plohetski/April 4) which said Austin-Travis County EMS workers Aaron Langford and Steven Peek made their ill advised move after responding to a call for a passed out person Tuesday. According to the newspaper, the duo cancelled police when they realized they knew the former paramedic. When police arrived anyway, Langford and Peek tried to prevent them from seeing Brian J. Angeline who had been removed from the car.
** A Pennsylvania man has been charged with aggravated assault after setting upon a female paramedic during a call Monday. The Centre Daily Times (April 4) said State College resident James R. Labenberg, 44, punched provider Eliza Strong when she tried to prevent him from exiting an in-transit ambulance. Labenberg, who was already in custody on an intoxication charge, struck Strong after first grabbing her. He remains in jail pending the posting of $7,500 in straight bail.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
** Winnipeg, Manitoba medics get 9.5 % wage hike
** Washington paramedic pleads guilty to terrorism charges
** Two Clearwater, Florida medics fight for their credentials
CANADA NEWS
** Winnipeg paramedics are getting a 9.5 per cent wage hike. That is the word from the Winnipeg Free Press (Shaun McLeod/April 3) which said the increase was awarded through binding arbitration. Announced last week, the amount falls far short of the 24 per cent over four years the union was originally seeking. It also comes six months after the conclusion of arbitration hearings. Retroactive to 2004, the three year deal includes an ACP premium of 8.7 per cent.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Washington paramedic pleaded guilty Monday to aiding and abetting terrorists. The International Herald Tribune (Alan Feuer/April 3) said Mahmud Faruq Brent, 32, was nabbed in a federal sting operation. According to the newspaper, Brent admitted attending a Pakistani terror group training camp in 2002. In addition, he also pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support for terrorism. He could now face up to 15 years in prison.
** Two Clearwater, Florida paramedics continue to slug it out to gain their jobs back. The St. Petersburg Times (Demorris A. Lee/April 3) said Trevor Murray and Mike Jones are now fighting for a return of their EMS credentials, after having them stripped when they were fired in May 2005. The duo has already won an unfair dismissal lawsuit against the city. Rather than being offered prehospital positions, however, they currently can only toil as firefighters. County medical director Dr. Laurie Romig, who nixed their credentials, said the possibility of them practicing again as medics is slight. Both men were terminated after refusing to answer a 911 call for a chronic help hailer.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
** PAM looks for medics for May golf tourney
** Durham EMS skills competition results in
** East Midlands Ambulance Service gets bonus
CANADA NEWS
** The Paramedic Association of Manitoba (PAM) is looking for medics to participate in its second annual golf tournament May 17. The event, which is a precursor to EMS Week (May 20-26), will take place at the Selkirk Golf and Country Club. Information and registration packages are availabe at http://www.paramedicsofmanitoba.ca
** Paramedics gathered in Whitby, Ontario Saturday to take part in the 5th Annual Paramedic Skills Competition. Held at Durham College, the event saw 22 different teams take part. St. Clair College took first place in the student division, while Durham EMS triumphed in the PCP section. Parkland EMS, meanwhile, out of Alberta won the ACP division, while an academic award was given to Dave Archimbault from Calgary EMS.
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** The Department of Health has awarded the East Midlands Ambulance Service a 1 million pound bonus for exceeding national response time targets. The BBC (April 2) said the nod comes after an October 2006 censure by the Healthcare Commission rating the organization as weak. According to the news service, East Midlands now arrives at over 68 per cent of high priority cases within 8 minutes.
Monday, April 2, 2007
** Canadian medics gather to mourn colleague
** Pittsburgh pushes to recruit minority paramedics
CANADA NEWS
** Paramedics gathered in Edmonton Saturday at the University of Alberta Butterdrome to pay tribute to oilfield medic Mike Jolin. The Edmonton Sun (Cary Castagna/April 2) said practitioners from Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick attended. Jolin, who is the first EMS LODD in the province in over 30 years, was killed March 11 in an accident near Fox Creek. He leaves behind a wife and two sons.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Pittsburgh is apparently trying to recruit minority paramedics. That is the word from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Rich Lord/April 2) which said the approach is aimed at introducing diversity into public safety departments. EMS chief Robert McCaughan said 22 of 174 current ambulance employees are African Americans. Minorities, meanwhile, make up one third of the city’s population.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
** Canadian practitioners gather for Mike Jolin memorial service
** Sacramento firefighter pleads guilty to impersonating a paramedic
** Philadelphia cuts two dispatch positions
** Savannah, Georgia LODD families offered free funerals for loved ones
** Israeli ambulance enters Ramallah for first time in six years
Friday, March 30, 2007
CANADA NEWS
** EMS practitioners from as far away as Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are expected to attend an Alberta memorial service for an oilfield medic killed March 11. That is the word from an information release put out by the Alberta College of Paramedics. According to the information, the March 31 tribute to Ponoka resident Mike Jolin will take place at Edmonton’s Butterdrome at 2 p.m. A procession will begin at 1:30 p.m. Individuals wishing to participate in the latter are being asked to contact Blaine Barody at emsguardofhonour@shaw.ca
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Sacramento firefighter has pleaded guilty to impersonating a paramedic. The Sacramento Bee (March 29) said Galt resident David Jose Martinez, 42, conceded the crime in court Wednesday. Martinez, who was sentenced to 90 days home detention, three years probation, and a $110 fine, has played at EMS since 1999. He told authorities he was never licenced, but had received training as a paramedic.
** Philadelphia is apparently cutting two 911 dispatchers. That is the claim being made by CBS 3, (March 29) which said the news came during Wednesday’s city budget hearings. The dip in emergency operators coincides with an ongoing dearth of medics in the city. Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said 30 EMS positions are currently open. Medical and police calls are also up.
** LODD families in Savannah, Georgia are being offered free funerals for those lost on the job. WTOC (March 30) said the Savannah Fairhaven Funeral Home’s generosity covers EMS, police and fire personnel. Home spokesman Bird Hodges said the kindness is being extended to assist public safety officers who are notoriously under paid. The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire is sponsoring the program.
MIDDLE EAST NEWS
** An Israeli ambulance entered the Palestinian town of Ramallah Thursday. Arutz Sheva (March 29) said the event marked the first time in six years an Israeli unit has been allowed passage into the town. According to the news service, medics were hailed to transport a six month old infant who had inhaled poisonous gas. The child was taken to Tel HaShomer’s Sheba Medical Center.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
** Yorkshire Ambulance Trust deep in debt
** Welsh Ambulance Service sends taxi to get patient with broken neck
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** Just one year after being created out of three separate EMS entities, the Yorkshire Ambulance Trust is deep in debt. That is the word from The Star (March 28) which said the deficit will run about 4.7 million pounds. Attributing the amount to previous baggage brought on from the Tees ambulance service, prehospital brass also say West Yorkshire’s back pay issue is also contributing.
** A Cardiff, Wales man is outraged, after the Welsh Ambulance Service sent a taxi to transport his elderly mother to hospital. ICWales (Laura Wright/March 28) quoted Phillip McLean, 51, as saying the tact was ridiculous, given his 79-year-old mother had a broken neck. McLean said the gaffe was only the latest in a comedy of errors. Starting with a misdiagnosis of whiplash, the problems exacerbated with a two hour wait for an ambulance. A service spokesman conceded a taxi was used for the call, saying the transport is employed when regular EMS units are busy.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
** A Wellingsborough ambulance crew was robbed Tuesday morning
** Kuwait medics are apparently frustrated with their uniform colours
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** A Wellingsborough ambulance crew was robbed Tuesday morning while attending a Lings Northampton patient. The Northants Evening Telegraph (March 26) said the heist, which involved vandals smashing the unit’s front passenger window, resulted in the loss of the vehicle’s satellite navigation and GP system. East Midland Ambulance Service spokesman Phil Morris said several sat-navs have gone missing in recent months. The theft comes just days after yobs stoned a fire crew responding to a nightime call.
MIDDLE EAST NEWS
** Kuwait medics are apparently frustrated with their uniform colours, saying the green outfit resembles Iraqi military during Saddam Hussein’s time. The Kuwait Times (March 27) said practitioners are calling on the Ministry of Health to rectify the problem. In an open letter to new department head Massouma Al-Mubarak, providers dubbed their work clothes embarrassing, saying shame is particularly acute when dealing with foreigners. Although not directly accusing the government of wrongdoing, the tome did say the uniforms remain beacuse of the suppliers’ strong ties with officials.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
** Ambulance service blacklists EMS help hailers
** Former military medic attacked on tube
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** North West Ambulance Service brass are blacklisting violent EMS help hailers. That is the word from 24 Dash (March 26) which said the roster of 200 addresses in Merseyside and Cheshire is aimed at stemming abuse directed against medics. Though continuing to respond to the sites, practitioners will be accompanied by a police escort.
** British Transport Police are seeking witnesses to a vicious attack on a former military medic who served in Afghanistan. The Evening Standard (Rebecca Smith/March 23) said London Ambulance Service worker Dave Bobonau, 38, was set upon by thugs last Tuesday while en route to New Cross via a tube train. Bobonau told police two men punched him in the face and head after complaining about EMS workers. Investigators are now scouring closed circuit t.v. coverage in an effort to identify his assailants.
Monday, March 26, 2007
** Toronto EMS stages mock
** Thunder Bay graduates more ACPs
CANADA NEWS
** Toronto EMS medics staged a mock Saturday at Centennial College, using a rogue shooter scenario. City News (March 24) said the training, which included some 200 victims, was loosely centred on Montreal’s recent Dawson College incident. In that September instance, one woman was shot to death, while 19 others were injured. Service spokesman Dean Shaddock said the practice is key to maintaining readiness for future terror attacks.
** Thunder Bay graduated six new advanced care paramedics last week. TB Source (March 23) said the practitioners join 13 other ACPs already working in the region. Superior North EMS Manager Norm Gale said anecdotal evidence indicates the ACPs are making a positive difference when it comes to patient survival outcomes. Trainees studied for seven months at the Regional Health Sciences Center and Sudbury’s Cambrian College.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** An ambulance nabbed in Arkansas last week for transporting 400 pounds of marijuana was apparently destined for South Florida. That is the word from WLBZ (Rhonda Erskine/March 26) which said the rig’s load was worth nearly a million dollars. Originating in Los Angeles, the vehicle experienced transmission problems near Maumelle. Former Texas medic John Wilhite was arrested in connection with the incident.
March 23, 2007
** Welsh paramedic convicted of making obscene phone calls…
** Gosport, UK medic recovering after being beaten on call…
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** March 29 has been set as the sentencing date for a Welsh paramedic convicted of menacing 1,500 Trecynon women. IC Wales (Cynon Valley Leader/march 22) said Stephen Arthur Maxwell, 53, was arrested after the women complained they were receiving threatening phonecalls. Maxwell apparently posed as a clothing manufacturer surveyor to get the females on the line. He then asked them sexually explicit questions about undergarmets and rape.
** A Gosport paramedic is recovering, after being pummelled by 12 Hampshire teens while on a call Wednesday. The Daily Echo (March 22) said Tom Hope, 37, suffered cuts and bruises while responding to a help hail for a youth coughing up blood. Hope told the newspaper the gang set upon him around 8 p.m. after the boy became agitated while receiving treatment. Two 17-year-olds were subsequently taken into custody.
