Thursday, June 28, 2007
** Calgary medics inching closer to strike
** Alabama med-evac soldier killed in Iraq
** Idaho educator & paramedic mourned
** British medics to be eligible for new medal
CANADA NEWS
** Calgary paramedics are apparently inching ever closer to strike. That, at least, is the word from 630 CHED (June 27) which quoted union president Bruce Robb as saying Thursday will mark the day practitioners begin declining to work overtime. The union is seeking a 30 per cent wage hike over three years;the city, meanwhile, has offered only 12 per cent.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Fort Carson, Colorado med-evac company soldier has been killed in Iraq. The Gazette (Tom Roeder/June 26) said Sgt. William E. Brown, 25, died Sunday after being hit in a mortar attack 20 miles north of Baghdad. Brown, who hailed from Phil Campbell, Alabama, was assigned to the 571st Air Ambulance Medical Company. His death marks the 207th for Fort Carson.
** Idaho practitioners are mourning the death of educator and paramedic James O. Rodgers, 50, who passed away unexpectedly June 22 in Pocatello. Rodgers, who taught EMS for the College of Southern Idaho and Idaho State University, resided in Twin Falls. Noted as one of the youngest in Montana to receive his EMT at age 17, he had additionally toiled as a nurse and flight medic. Working EMS in Wyoming, Washington, Montana, and Idaho, Rodgers also served as a full time firefighter in Livingston, Montana. He leaves a wife, Marlene, and five children behind. A memorial service was held yesterday in Pocatello, while a second commemoration is set for Twin Falls on Saturday at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.colonial-funeralhome.com
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** EMS workers across the country who have contributed substantially to the development of local or national EMS will now be eligible for a new medal. eGov Monitor (June 27) said The Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal, which will also commend service during large scale, dangerous, or exceptional incidents, was created to coincide with the 70th anniversary of 999 service in Great Britain.
