Thursday, May 24, 2012

** New York moves closer to law heavily penalizing murderers of first responders

** UK Prince Charles awards Jubilee medal to Toronto paramedic

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A bill seeking to heavily penalize those who murder first responders will now go before the New York Assembly before being signed into law by the governor. That is the word from WWNY-TV (May 23) which said state senators gave Mark’s Law the nod Tuesday. According to the news site, the statute passed the upper chamber by a vote of 59 to 0. Dubbed in honor of Cape Vincent EMT Mark B. Davis who was shot to death during a 2009 call, the legislation will see first degree murder charges automatically laid against those who deliberately take the life of an emergency medical responder. A spokesman for the Davis family said they hope similar punishment is also put into place in other states.

CANADA NEWS

** Toronto paramedic and aid worker Rahul Singh was awarded a Jubilee medal by Prince Charles Tuesday. CBC News (May 23) said Singh, who founded GlobalMedic, was given the nod for outstanding contribution to his community. According to the newspaper, some 60,000 such medals will be given to selected Canadians. GlobalMedic assists in international disaster response, particularly providing EMS care, relief supplies, equipment, medicine, and training programs.