Friday, August 10, 2007
** Funeral services for New Mexico flight medic set
** Downed New Mexico air ambulance’s flight path scrutinized
** Understaffing responsible for Montreal’s woeful EMS response times
** Canadian politico seeking penalties for those attacking paramedics
UNITED STATES NEWS
** National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators looking into Sunday’s crash of a King Air E-90 air ambulance say clues to the mishap may be found in a deviation in the plane’s flight path. The Associated Press (August 9) quoted NTSB regional director David Bowling as saying the Southwest Medevac aircraft turned right instead of left to Albuquerque just before it plunged to the ground. The information is in contrast to a Sierra Blanca Regional Airport employee’s account. This witness said he observed the plane bank left only. Five people, including flight paramedic Deanna Palmer, 40, perished in the crash.
** Funeral services honouring the life of downed air ambulance medic Deanna S. Palmer, 40, are set for today in Roswell, New Mexico. According to the Roswell Daily Record (August 9), a private commemoration will take place at the Ballard Chapel. Palmer, who leaves three daughters behind, was both a former firefighter and US Army veteran of Desert Storm. She had also served in the Arizona National Guard. Along with her children, she is survived by her parents, as well as several siblings.
CANADA NEWS
** Woeful response times in Montreal are directly related to inadequate EMS staffing. The Canadian Press (August 9) said that is the contention of union leader Rejean Leclerc who said Urgences-Sante uses overtime workers each and every day. LeClerc’s opinion was echoed by Health Minister Philippe Couillard. Couillard said despite more money being tossed at the organization, service improvements have not been forthcoming. Couillard’s comments come after the La Presse newspaper said Urgences-Sante spent $3.6 million last year on overtime pay, $1.3 million more than original projections.
** Davenport MP Mario Silva is attempting to push a private bill through Parliament that would penalize those who assault on-duty paramedics. That is the word from a note put out by Silva’s office (August 8) which said the statute would be modelled on one dealing with those who attack police officers. Requiring unanimous consent from all Members of Parliament, the legislation will begin its trudge for approval this fall. To gain support, Silva said he is asking medics to lobby their local political representatives
