Thursday, January 17, 2008

** Ontario paramedic to get Governor-General’s Medal of Bravery

** Florida service to try chilling heart attack patients

** Queensland ambulances to be inspected after unit door twice flies off hinges

CANADA NEWS

** Saving two teenage girls from drowning has netted one Ontario paramedic a Governor-General’s Medal of Bravery. The Windsor Star (January 16) said Sun Parlour Ambulance worker Robin Mole will be given the nod alongside Leamington police Const. Ryan Hutchison who aided in the rescue. According to the newspaper, Mole went into the water to retrieve Tiana South, 11, and a 13-year-old girl who were unable to return to shore. Battling a strong current, he was assisted by a life preserver he quickly donned before heading into Lake Erie. Hutchison also went in.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Pioneering a new treatment for heart attack patients, Broward County Florida paramedics will be infusing victims with ice cold saltwater. That is the word from the Sun-Sentinel (Bob LaMendola/January 16) which said the approach, which slows the metabolism, potentially reduces damage to the brain and other organs where blood flow is impeded. Done en route to hospital, the treatment is being tried by both Seattle and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** Queensland ambulances are about to undergo special inspections, after the side door of one Home Hill unit twice came off its hinges. ABC News (January 16) said 24 new rigs will undergo the look-see by order of the Emergency Services Minister. The scrutiny follows calls from Opposition spokesman Ted Malone to ensure proper equipment is available for medics. Malone said although the difficulty could be unique to the one ambulance, it is foolish to chance other problems.