Monday, October 25, 2010

** Toxic uniform crisis at South Australia Ambulance Service cost taxpayers around $6 million

** Mississippi combat medic sentenced to jail in Japan for accidental hit-and-run death

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** South Australia’s toxic uniform crisis has cost the EMS organization some $6 million since 2008. That is the word from The Advertiser (Kim Wheatley/October 23) which said the money was spent on such things as 2000 new uniforms for staff, as well as consultants’ reports, clothing testing, and cleanup of equipment, vehicles, and ambulance stations. Beginning in 2007, the incident first unfolded when some 160 EMS staff suffered what appeared to be allergic reactions to the clothing. One paramedic was hospitalized with life-threatening symptoms. A number of staff members remain off work to this day. Investigation found the fabric for the uniforms, which were made in Indonesia, contained metals such as lead, arsenic, chromium, and copper. Opposition Health politician Duncan McFetridge said while expenditures to date have been hefty, he is not confident cash outlays have concluded. McFetridge hinted those suffering ongoing effects from the uniform fiasco could still seek some sort of compensation.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Mississippi combat medic stationed in Japan will have to serve nearly three years in prison in that country for striking and killing a pedestrian. WLOX (October 21) said Staff Sgt. Clyde Drew Gunn apparently did not realize he had struck the 66-year-old man while out driving last November. Because failing to report the incident is considered a crime, Gunn’s prison sentence stands despite the accidental nature of the death. His father, well known Gulf Coast attorney Buddy Gunn, said while they are appealing, they are still asking the victim’s family for forgiveness.