Thursday, July 26, 2007
** Funeral services set for medics killed in July 19 ambulance crash
** Calgary medics labour settlement expected before end of September
** Maryland paramedic sentenced to jail on terrorism charges
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Funeral services for three Antwerp, Ohio EMTs killed in an ambulance accident July 19 have been set for Friday. That is the word from the Associated Press (July 25) which said the commemoration will be held at the village’s high school gymnasium at 1 p.m. All twelve volunteer medics are expected to attend the service, with nearby villages providing cover. Medic Matt McDougall, 31, whose wife Heidi perished alongside fellow providers Sammy Smith, 64, and Kelly Rager, 25, is also expected to be present along with his five children. The sole survivor of the crash, McDougall was released from hospital earlier this week. Those wishing to contribute to a memorial fund for the families can do so by forwarding donations to:
Antwerp Squad 41 Memorial Fund
c/o The Antwerp Exchange Bank
305 S. Main Street
PO Box 727
Antwerp, Ohio 45813
CANADA NEWS
** Calgary medics have until August 14 to hammer out an acceptable deal with the city under the mandatory binding arbitration instituted earlier this week by Industry Minister Iris Evans. The Calgary Sun (Shawn Logan/July 25) said failure to reach an agreement by the date will see the labour contract move to a tribunal. The body will then submit their ruling on the matter by September 28. The approach, used by Evans to stave off Thursday’s EMS strike, comes after the prehospital union had already declined voluntary arbitration. Union president Bruce Robb, however, said he feels an arbitrator will likely find for paramedics.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** A former Maryland paramedic will spend 15 years in the clink for attending a Pakistani terrorist training camp. The Sunday Times (July 26) said Mahmud Faruq Brent, 32, was given the tag yesterday after pleading guilty in April to aiding a terrorist organization. According to the newspaper, Brent attended the camp for three months in 2002. Along with standard indoctrination, the camp also provided Brent, who is a Muslim, with martial arts training.
