Friday, September 14, 2007

** South Australia yanks allergy causing uniforms

** California medic charged with impersonating firefighter

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** South Australia medics may not be itching to get into a new uniform, but they likely will be relieved to get rid of the old ones. ABC (September 13) said the practitioners’ service is recalling all uniforms and issuing interim ones until a new order arrives in the new year. Management issued the directive after staff complained the outfits were provoking allergic reactions, in some cases severe. At least 150 providers registered such a complaint.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Huntington Beach, California paramedic has been charged with suspicion of impersonating a firefighter. The Associated Press (September 9) said James Campbell, who once worked EMS in Arizona, was also tagged with stolen property possession and being a felon in possession of firearms. According to the newspaper, Campbell, who had his driver’s licence picture taken while in a firefighter’s uniform, had a stash of fire memorabilia in his apartment. Among the items were wallet badges, department patches, a firefighting suit, and dress uniofrm. A DVD of him undertaking firefighter duties was also used to promote a fire safety and first aid business. Not his first run-in with the law, Campbell was convicted of credit card fraud in 1987.