Tuesday, April 24, 2007
** Ottawa medics to join others in shutting off idling engines
** Philadelphia paramedic wins compensation fight
** South Carolina toys with introducing criminal background checks for EMS workers
** California considering criminal background checks for medics
CANADA NEWS
** Ottawa paramedics will only be exempt in emergency situations from a new bylaw limiting car engine idling in good weather to three minutes. The Ottawa Citizen (Jake Rupert/April 22) said the new rule is expected to be introduced soon. City officials say it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20 per cent by 2012. Cutting both smog and respiratory related ailments, the bylaw would also exempt police, fire, armoured cars, garbage trucks, traffic jam vehicles, as well as those in operaton at airports and train stations.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A female Philadelphia paramedic has won a compensation fight after seven years of struggle. That is the word from the Philadelphia Daily News (April 23) which said Mary Kohler, who was stricken with Hepatitis C while on the job, will receive a disability pension. Kohler, 44, began her protest in December of 2000 after her sick time benefits ran out. Staging a city hall sleep-in for 15 days, she garnered international media attention before retreating due to ill health. Using donated sick time hours, Kohler retained her job until December of 2006 when she retired. Her disability pension will see her receive 70 per cent of her former salary, as well as lifetime hep C medical cost coverage.
** South Carolina medics could soon be required to undergo criminal background checks before accepting employment. The Greenville News (Liz Osby/April 23) said that is the intent of legislation proposed by Rep. James M. Neal, D-Lancaster. Neal suggested the bill after prompting from the state’s EMS association.
** California is considering mandatory criminal background checks for EMTs. The Sacramento Bee (Andrew McIntosh/April 23) said the proposal is being joined by another which suggests licencing by the state EMS Authority by 2009. The potential statute, introduced last week by Sen. Roy Ashburn, additionally calls for medics with substance abuse problems to undergo workplace supported treatment.
