Tuesday, July 28, 2009

** Maine monster truck hits EMT during arena event

** Toronto medics push for essential service status

** Louisiana ambulances forced to pay road tolls, but fire trucks and police cars exempt

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Maine EMT escaped unscathed Sunday after a bizarre accident that saw a monster truck pin him into a pile of mud. The Associated Press (July 27) said the Lebanon practitioner, who has not been publicly identified, was hit by the vehicle when the driver’s throttle became stuck during a Go Deep Mud contest. According to the news service, the provider was pushed into a mountain of sand following the collision, with only his face visible. The truck, meanwhile, passed over him with tires on either side of his head. Transported to hospital as a precaution, the medic has since been released.

** Lobbyists in Louisiana are preparing to battle the state over road toll charges for ambulances. The Daily Comet (Lloyd J. Nelson III/July 27) said the fees, which are collected via electronic scanners, have become an issue in Grande Isle where a new bridge has just been put into action. Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle said the fees are ridiculous, given that other emergency vehicles like fire trucks and police cars are exempt. Camardelle said he would lobby to change any existing law relating to the charges or work to enact one that would wipe them out. Advocate Henri Boulet, meanwhile, who directs a group pushing for road improvements, agreed legislative change or a dictate from the Louisiana Transportation Authority are the only ways to eliminate the tolls.

CANADA NEWS

** Now entering the second month of their strike, Toronto medics are pushing for essential service status. That is the word from the Toronto Sun (Don Peat/July 27) which quoted Toronto Paramedic Association public relations director Roberta Scott as saying the current practice of adhering to essential services agreements does not work. Scott, who noted EMS staffing is down to 75 per cent during the job action, said the city’s move to change the deal is evidence the approach is faulty. Last week, a city spokesman said he would apply to the Ontario Labour Relations Board to up staffing complements in the face of declining EMS response times. Soctt’s call has been echoed by the Ontario Paramedic Association. In 2005, paramedics were deemed a public safety occupation at the federal level.