Friday, January 18, 2008

** Saskatoon EMS praised for helping save man

** US military medics in Iraq get new armoured ambulance

CANADA NEWS

** Authorities in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan are praising the work of an MD Ambulance dispatcher, after she helped save the life of a lost man. The Star Phoenix (Lana Haight/January 17) said Janice Marcotte is being lauded for leading an effort to find the man who was trapped in a van that had rolled in a rural area. Hailing 911 with his cellphone, the man could not give Marcotte any detailed information on his location. Alerting EMS, fire, and police resources, Marcotte kept the man on the line, at one point convincing him to remain with his vehilce rather than chance walking toward a nearby light. Emergency workers from Biggar, Rosetown, and Harris scoured the region for over three hours, finding their quarry around 5 a.m. At the time of his discovery, the man’s core body temperature was below 34 C. He remains in hospital.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Military medics serving in Iraq will have extra protection, with several brigades now using an improved armoured ambulance. That is the word from The News Blaze (Sgt. Angel D. Martinez/January 17) which said the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Heavy Armored Ground Ambulance is sturdier and better equipped than previous models. Sporting high tech interior and exterior lighting, the vehicle also has a hydraulic litter system and internal communication headsets. Additionally, it presents larger equipment storage areas and advanced exterior plating. The unit is manufactured by BAE Systems Land & Armaments.