** Off-duty DUI nets Austin, Texas paramedic a job suspension
** Winnipeg paramedics sponsor 5th annual charity run for Heart and Stroke Foundation
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A DUI arrest in July has netted an Austin, Texas paramedic a 30 day suspension from his job. That is the word from KXAN (October 17) which said Charlie Rust, 43, was arrested July 8th while off duty in his vehicle. According to the newspaper, Rust’s blood alcohol level at the time was .168 or twice the legal limit. Along with the suspension, he has been ordered to seek counseling for his alcohol dependency and will be on probation for his job for one year. Random alcohol testing will additionally be done during the interval. Rust has worked EMS for the past 17 years.
CANADA NEWS
** A Manitoba based fundraising effort for the Heart and Stroke Foundation this past weekend saw 3,000 participants in the 5th Annual Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Half Marathon. Global News (Zahra Premji/October 17) said the Sunday event saw about 300 more runners than in the previous year. Those taking part could run either the half marathon, 10k, or 5k course. Participants ranged from 12-81-years-old. Exact figures on the amount of money raised were not available at press time, but organizers said they hope the five year cumulative total, including this year, comes to around $250,000.
