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** Drug case against Nova Scotia paramedic moved to late November

** Nebraska mayor threatens lay-offs if paramedic training not cut

** An adjournment has been granted until November 28th in the case of a Nova Scotia paramedic accused of stealing morphine from his service. The Chronicle Herald (Sherri Borden Colley/November 4) said lawyers acting for Zachary Ewan Dewar, 26, appeared in court Monday asking for more time to prepare their defence. According to the newspaper, Dewar faces tags for possession of morphine, breach of trust, theft, possession of stolen property, and mischief. Arrested February 14th while off duty, Dewar was allegedly found with the drugs on his person. He was outside the Dartmouth paramedic base at the time. Following his arrest, Dewar was fired and had his licence suspended. He had worked for the service since 2006.

** Nebraska’s fire department in Omaha is being told to cut paramedic training or face laying off 19 firefighters by January 4th. The Omaha World-Herald (Erin Golden/November 6) said the ultimatum issued by Mayor Jean Strothert stipulates the cave-in date as today. According to the newspaper, Strothert’s plan calls for fire officials to remain within .5 per cent of their $90.6 million 2014 budget. Along with EMS lay-offs, she said she would begin removing fire rigs from service if her terms are not met. The fire union has so far fought the move, demanding a no-layoffs and no rig removal clause for the life of the contract in exchange for reducing paramedic training.