Thursday, August 30, 2012

** Tennessee paramedic charged after stealing cash from dead patient

** Potential for holiday weekend trauma call upswing sees Ontario paramedics take part in blood donor challenge

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A Portland, Tennessee paramedic has been fired and charged with theft after allegedly stealing money from a deceased patient Monday. That is the word from News Channel 5 (Adam Ghassemi/August 29) which said Ashley Choate, 29, who is also a volunteer fire chief, admitted to police she took the cash during a callout along the Tennessee/Kentucky border. According to the news site, police found money in a vehicle in the home’s garage, but were unable to locate it when Sumner County EMS medics left the scene. After questioning Choate, she admitted she lifted the cash, remorsefully cutting up at least $100 and tossing it out the window on her way home. Investigators found remnants of the bills at the side of the road. Choate, who also faces a potential charge of official misconduct, was out on bond Tuesday.

CANADA NEWS

** In an effort to assist in replenishing local blood supplies, Niagara paramedics in Ontario have been taking part this week in the Sirens for Life blood donor challenge. Niagara News Now (August 29) said the event, which is occurring in St. Catherine’s, precedes the Labour Day Weekend, one of the holidays on which trauma calls usually increase. Along with the medics themselves rolling up their sleeves, the drive is also encouraging the public to act like mindedly.