Tuesday, April 13, 2010

** San Francisco paramedics caught in shoot out

** Queensland medics taught self defence.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A pair of San Francisco paramedics narrowly escaped injury Sunday, after a gunfight broke out during a call in the South of Market District. That is the word from KTVU (April 12) which said the 2:27 a.m. shooting spree claimed the life of one person and injured three. According to the newspaper, the incident occurred near Second and Minna Streets. Police, who are remaining largely mum on details, have not yet made any arrests in connection with the fired shots. San Francisco Fire Department spokesman Mike Kerney said initially the dispatch appeared to be a routine medical call out.

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** Queensland medics in the Far North part of the state are being taught self defence, after an upswing in violence during calls. The Cairns Post (April 13) said the training, which mainly involves dealing with patients high on drugs and alcohol, instructs on thumb weakness points and release holds, among other things. In addition to the classes, frontline medics have also been issued more radios to ensure help arrives quickly when practitioners are set upon. So far, 35 providers have completed the training, with the remainder of the 242 Far North medics expected to do the same by the year’s close. One EMS official said about 10 FN practitioners have been assaulted this year.