Thursday, June 21, 2007

** Toronto marks 175th anniversary of EMS service

** Female Arizona paramedic sues over firing

** New Zealand ambulace officers contending with violent patients

CANADA NEWS

** Toronto EMS is preparing to take note Friday of the 175th anniversary of the city’s first ambulance service. The information, compiled by Bruce Newton, indicates the organization began in 1832 after a Cholera epidemic swept the population. The first ambulance was a wagon commissioned by the then York Board of Health to transport the ill to hospitals. Horse drawn wagons were stationed at the court house and at the port where ships arrived.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A female Tuscon, Arizona paramedic is suing her former employer in federal court, alleging she was terminated after rebuffing a superior’s sexual advances. The Arizona Daily Star (Becky Pallack/June 20) said Diana Overton has launched the action against Healthcare Innovations Inc. in relation to her term as an EMT in Cochise County. Along with seeking back pay and compensation for future wages, Overton is also appealing for emotional stress damages. Among the incidents Overton alleges took place was being pinned against a wall by a manager who then indicated his dismay at her rejection of him. She was let go in January of this year for not following company policies.

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

** An increasing wave of violence being directed against St. John medics has the organization shaking its head. The Manawatu Standard (Michael Cummings/June 20) quoted St. John spokesman Steve Yanko as saying unpredictable patients are unsettling medics who never know when behaviour might turn. One unidentified ambulance worker said he is frustrated with the extreme caution needed when attending calls. The medic’s comments come after a fellow practitioner suffered cracked ribs and torn ligaments in his arm and shoulder after being assaulted by a patient in May.