Thursday, May 29, 2008
** Shot Missouri EMS practitioner recognized by state
** Philadelphia paramedics to be paid overtime
** Florida killer of paramedic not high on drugs at time
UNITED STATES NEWS
** The State of Missouri honoured a St. Louis practitioner shot while on the job earlier this month. The News Democrat (May 28) said Patrick Bierman, 23, and his partner Lydia Cravens received the nod at the Department of Public Health’s 21st Annual Emergency Medical Services Awards. A total of 16 people were honoured for heroism during an emergency.
** Philadelphia paramedics may soon get a little richer. At least that is the possibility being dangled by the York Daily Record (May 28) which said a federal appeals court has ruled 300 medics should be paid overtime. The decision avoids a 1999 amendment to federal labor law which said fire protection employees are not to be paid overtime unless they exceed 61 work hours over eight days. The 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals, however, said medics do not meet the specifications for fire protection employees.
** The Florida gunman, who shot and killed a West Palm Beach paramedic in March, was apparently not fuelled by drugs. The Marin Independent Journal (AP/May 28) said toxicology tests on Alburn Blake’s body found indicated only very low levels of two metabolites. Coroner Dr. Stuart Graham said Blake may have used cocaine days prior to the random murder. Blake, 60, killed the EMS worker as he stood in line at a Wendy’s restaurant.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
** French medics in Caen protest high gas prices
** South Korean medics undertake earthquake drill
** Missouri medic’s S & R dog gets pacemaker
FRANCE NEWS
** High gas prices prompted private ambulance workers in Caen to protest by interfering with traffic Monday. That is the word from the AFP (May 27) which said the medics say petrol inflation is driving services into bankruptcy. The incident came just one day before French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde said she would push G-7 nations to encourage oil producers to increase their output. Lagarde’s decision caps nearly three weeks of action on the part of fishermen who have demanded government intervention to stem oil prices from skyrocketting. President Nicholas Sarkozy, meanwhile, has warned the public to brace for more fuel pain.
SOUTH KOREA NEWS
** Paramedics and firefighters across South Korea took part in an earthquake drill Tuesday. Arirang News (May 27) said the mock, which included a faux 6.8 magnitude quake, was intended to raise awareness that tremors like those that struck China could occur. Practice runs took place in both cities and coastal regions. Evacuation drills also focussed on how to respond following tsunamis.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Doctors in Columbia, Missouri have come to the rescue of a search and rescue dog belonging to a local paramedic. The Associated Press (May 27) said the canine, named Molly, has had a pacemaker installed. A 5-year-old Labrador, Molly had been suffering from a complete electrical heart block. Medic/owner Allen Brown said the support he received since Molly’s surgery has been extraordinary. Along with Medtronic donating the pacemaker, several individuals have offered to help pay medical costs.
