** Calgary community paramedic program getting thumbs up
** Rhode Island ambulance volunteer charged with both petit and grand larceny
CANADA NEWS
** Calgary’s community paramedic program is being deemed a success. That is the word from CTV Calgary (Colleen Schmidt/December 11) which said the year long pilot for the initiative has apparently eased pressure on city ERs. According to the newspaper, 10 specially trained paramedics have attended 1480 calls to homes occupied by seniors. Referrals are given to the program by family doctors, as well as clinics and other caregivers. Along with assessing patient health, program medics can also do ECGs, blood collection, oral and IV medication administration and wound care.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A Rhode Island volunteer EMT has been charged with grand and petit larceny after he allegedly stole his service’s debit card and used it to make personal purchases. WNYT (Cadence Acquaviva/December 15) said Providence Volunteer Ambulance Corps member Scott Moody, 19, was arrested Saturday after the service filed a complaint with police earlier this month. According to the news service, Moody allegedly used the card to buy $600 worth of cigarettes and gasoline. Reaching back to September, the alleged crimes may have extended up to the point of his arrest. A court date has not yet been set
