Wednesday, July 4, 2007

** Saskatchewan HSAS paramedics now on strike

** Air ambulance flight nurse nearly sucked from plane

** Queensland ambulance union calls for more protection for medics

CANADA NEWS

** Saskatchewan paramedics with the HSAS union are now officially on strike. That is the word from Reuters (July 3) which said EMS practitioners, alongside therapists and pharmacists, took the action after talks broke down over wages. By Tuesday morning, no picket lines had yet been established. The HSAS also said only 27 workers were actually off the job. Union spokesman Chris Driol said the limited number of actual picketters was intended to show the public good faith.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Boise, Idaho flight nurse narrowly missed being killed last week, after a window on the aircraft blew, nearly sucking him outside. KNBC (July 3) said Chris Fogg, who at one point only had his legs and left hand inside the plane, began his ordeal June 27 at 20,000 feet. The plane rapidly depressurized after he had undone his seatbelt while reaching for a water bottle. Fogg, 41, who is 6 feet tall and weighs 224 pounds, said hanging on was complicated by the incessant debris that kept flying out the hole. The Daily Mail (July 3) quoted Fogg as saying his bulk may have kept him from leaving the plane completely. After the pilot descended to 10,000 feet to equalize pressure, he was able to land in Seattle a short time later.

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** A weekend assault on one of its members has the Queensland ambulance union calling for increased punishments for offenders. The Brisbane Times (July 3) quoted Ambulance Employees Australia secretary Steve Crow as saying legislation covering attacks on police officers should be expanded to include EMS workers as well. Crow’s comments come after a medic was beaten and spat upon while transporting a patient to Berserker. Blood tests were done to ensure the practitioner had not been exposed to any infectious diseases.