** Ohio man gets probation for impersonating EMT at accident scene
** North Carolina EMS agencies warned of new drug scourge hitting streets;acetyl fentanyl ID’d in 3 recent overdose deaths
UNITED STATES NEWS
** An Ohio man has been sentenced to six months probation and a $171 fine after impersonating an EMT at an accident scene last November. WDTN (February 17) said Dayton resident James Stephens pleaded no contest Monday to misconduct. According to the news site, the jig was up for Stephens after he made his false claim following an MVA on US 35. He apparently also allegedly misrepresented himself to victims of the 2000 tornado in Xenia. There is no word on whether or not he was charged in the latter incident.
** North Carolina EMS agencies are being advised that a new drug five times more potent than heroin is hitting city and county streets. WRAL (February 18) said acetyl fentanyl has been identified as the recent killer of three people who died from overdoses. According to the news station, the deaths occurred in Sampson, Person, and Transylvania counties. State Health Director Robin Gary Cummings said the synthetic drug is a serious threat to public health in a state where overdose deaths have jumped 300 % since 1999. The warning echoes one issued last June by the CDC. In that alert, the agency advised emergency departments and EMS organizations to ensure they keep a good stock of naloxone on hand.
