Thursday, February 25, 2010

** Ambulance New Brunswick to review emergency speed caps

** California tightens rules on felon EMTs

CANADA NEWS

** Ambulance New Brunswick is apparently going to undertake a review of its EMS emergency speed limits. That is the word from the Daily Gleaner (Stephen Llewellyn/February 20) which said the decision to revisit the policy comes a week after a patient died following a dispatch refusal to exceed speed caps. Health Minister Mary Schryer said the Sussex based call did not motivate the move. However, during a government question period the day after the elderly woman died, the matter was brought up by health critic Margaret-Ann Blaney.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Convicted felons hoping to become EMTs in California will have a bit rougher time, now that the state has passed a new law. 10 News (February 22) said the statute, which forces counties to run EMS provider names through the FBI criminal database, also permits the state to say which crimes are disqualifiers for EMTs. In San Diego, where a particular case inspired the legislation, the law will go into effect July 1. According to the newspaper, the city’s role in prompting the statute involved the case of former Idaho Sheriff’s deputy Jesse Thrush. Thrush shook and killed his fiancée’s 2-year-old Down syndrome child, serving nine months in jail for the crime. After being paroled, he moved to the city to practice as an EMT. Although the county’s EMS medical director knew of Thrush’s crime, he allowed him to practice anyway. He continues to work as a prehospital provider for the county.