Tuesday, February 5, 2013

** Trial nearing for Indiana suspect who shot up ambulance

** BC blood samples act set to take effect

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A second suspect from Indiana is about to go to trial in the case of shots being fired at an Allen County ambulance last September 9th. WANE (February 4) said Dontay Martin, 23, has been charged with attempted murder x 4, as well as several tags involving weapons and gang offences. According to the news site, Martin fired on the EMS unit as the vehicle transported a nightclub stabbing victim to hospital. He was in a car following the rig. Approximately 16-20 bullets were loosed on the ambulance. One medic was injured in the incident. A second vehicle was also fired on. Although the trial date has not yet been set, a jury was selected Monday.

CANADA NEWS

** A new law allowing paramedics and other first responders to compel blood samples from individuals whose body fluids may have infected them is set to take effect March 2. That is the word from the Vancouver Province (Brian Morton/January 31) which said the Emergency Intervention Disclosure Act passed muster with politicians on May 31st of last year. According to the newspaper, EMS, police, and fire can make use of the statute if a potential exposure occurs. Crime victims can also apply for a court order to mandate testing for such diseases as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and HIV. Ambulance Paramedics of BC president Bronwyn Barter said the law is an important one since provincial medics deal with some 500,000 calls annually. Barter said despite precautions, unexpected exposures can still happen.