Friday, June 5, 2009

** Two Tasmanian ambulance officers test positive for Swine Flu

** New York EMT and former NYPD detective faces year in jail for posting dead patient’s pic on Internet

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** The Tasmanian Ambulance Service is being hit hard by the Swine Flu, with one in seven northwest region paramedics placed in quarantine. That is the word from The Examiner (Ben Wild/June 4) which said despite the illnesses, response times are remaining unaffected. So far, two ambulance officers have tested positive for the virus, while two others have yet to hear test results. North-West superintendent Paul Templar said staffing gaps are being filled with overtime hours, though mutual aid and revocation of holiday time may be soon needed to keep EMS running.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A New York EMT, and former NYPD detective, has now been charged with official misconduct after posting the pic of a dead patient online. WCBS Newsradio 880 (June 4) said Mark Musarella was tagged with the Class A misdemeanour after an investigation by the Richmond County District Attorney’s office.  DA Daniel Donovan told the news station Musarella ignored his professional training and ethics by publishing the photo. Musarella, who was arraigned yesterday, could spend a year in the clink if convicted.