Tuesday, May 8 and Wednesday, May 9, 2007

** 600 gather to honour Massachusetts LODD medic

** Flint, Michigan EMT student killed in crash

** Videotaping EMTs could lose licences

UNITED STATES NEWS

** More than 600 people attended the funeral for a Dunstable, Massachusetts, paramedic killed earlier this month in an ambulance accident. The Eagle Tribune (May 5) said Patriot Ambulance worker Michael Latta, 21, was honored as a courageous and faithful young man. Latta, who graduated from North Essex Community College, was preparing to begin paramedic training at the time of his death. He leaves his parents and siblings behind.

** A Flint, Michigan student EMT died from motorcycle accident injuries Friday. The Flint Journal (Ken Crawford/May 5) said Dean A. Hiteshew, 49, suffered unsurvivable injuries after an eastbound driver turned directly in front of him Thursday afternoon. Hiteshaw had previously worked as an on-call firefighter. He leaves behind two college aged children.

** A pair of New York EMTs, who videotaped patients in a derisive manner, could end up losing their EMT certifications. The New York Post (Susan Edelman/May 6) said David Campbell and Kevin Edell, who resigned shortly after their deeds came to light, are now being scrutinized by the state Department of Health. Grounds for the credentials removal could be patient abuse. Currently, Campbell remains as a volunteer for the Nassau Regional EMS Council.