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There’s no greater gift a man/woman who sacrifices their life so that others may live. These are the words that our police officers, firefighters; and emergency medical personnel live and work by everyday. Now that the United States of America has increased its homeland security alerts level to high. These men and women are the first line of defense in the event of an additional terrorist attack against the United States.

There are over 1 million firefighters in the United States, of which approximately 750,000 are volunteers. •Local police departments have an estimated 556,000 full-time employees including about 436,000 sworn personnel. •Sheriffs' offices reported about 291,000 full-time employees, including about 186,000 sworn personnel. •There are over 155,000 nationally registered Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).These men and women who wear uniforms of their chosen careers, are providing police protection; firefighters are providing haz-mat training and containment skills in the case of a chemical or biological attack. Emergency medical services personnel are training to treat any individual who may become exposed as a result of the release of such terrible chemical and biological agents at the hands of Iraq and possibly even terrorist’s cells.

The President's 2003 Budget is Strengthening America's first responder community will make our homeland safer. Nearly two million first responders regularly put their lives at risk to save lives and make our country safer. Hundreds of firefighters, police officers and emergency medical workers gave their lives on September 11 as they worked to save others. However, as our military is preparing so are our public servants?

The men and women who provide protection and medical treatment also continue to prepare by training and exercises to react to any potential terrorists attacks. Now with an increased threat level the possibility of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics losing their lives becomes a greater risk as they will be the first responders to any potential attack and they will the ones once again responding and will be the ones once again risking and sacrificing their lives so that others may live.

Just as our military is continuing their training and positioning to should they need to stop the Iraqi Government and other terrorists from launching stockpiled chemical and biological agent along with possible nuclear weapons. As a military awaits our President’s decision to commit our brave men and women to take action against Iraq in order to protect the American people from chemical or biological weaponry from being released anywhere in the world. However, as our military is preparing so are our public servants. The men and women who provide protection and medical treatment also continue to prepare by training and exercises to react to any potential terrorists attacks.

Now with an increased threat level the possibility of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics losing their lives becomes a greater risk as they will be the first responders to any potential attack and they will the ones once again responding and will be the ones once again risking and sacrificing their lives so that others may live. And already at time it seems that the public has forgotten the sacrifices that were made on September 11, 2001, when terrorists boarded airplanes then turning them into flying missiles. Firefighters, police officers, and paramedics who responded lost their lives, sacrificing their lives which had resulted in over 25,000 individuals who were saved as a result of their heroism. Hollywood and its actors put on a benefit program “To honor the heroes of 911.

”Today’s many of these same actors are protesting military action that will inevitably prevent the release of chemical and biological weapons on the United States and its allies. Germany and France have accused the president and the United States of being a “warmonger,” instead of realizing that on September 11, 2001, 3,025 Civilians, Military, Police, Fire, and EMS were killed. Because of their heroism and sacrifice the fact is that they saved approximately 25,000 souls. Apparently Hollywood actors fail to understand that a vile of a chemical substance agent could kill over 28,000 American citizens. Of all the firefighters, port authority officers, police officers, and emergency medical technicians who gave their lives September 11, 2001, the number of potential lives lost in a biological and chemical attack (s) could claim more lives of these individuals in unspeakable and unthinkable proportions.

A television editorial given by a Canadian television anchor from Toronto; Gordon Sinclair, here is the text of his editorial the rings true today.” This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States. When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries into help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped.

The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, war-mongering Americans. I’d like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - not once, but several times and safely home again. You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here. When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble?

I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbors have faced it alone, and! I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those.”

What a remarkable in moving editorial one which still rings true today, sadly however America’s actors are threatening to go to Iraq and act as human shields, small groups of Americans protest the threat of war.

Where are the protests for the lives of the men and women who’ve lay down their lives time and time again for the American people. They do not ask for anything in return, their families, friends, and co-workers are reluctantly and sadly are left behind. Those who protest this inevitable war with the Iraqi government fail to understand that our failure not too will again place our emergency medical personnel, our firefighters, and our police officers, who are homeland first line of defense. Again if Iraq is not disarmed, Police, Fire and EMS Personnel will possibly be placed back in another disastrous situation if Saddam Hussein releases his chemical and biological agents or provides al Qaeda with these weapons of mass destruction.

When do we say that these men and women who may today or tomorrow have to sacrifice their lives so that others may live, including the lives of the very celebrities who are willing to participate in making movies of war, and then decry the strong potential for military action to prevent another 9-11 with the potential for a far greater death toll then pearl harbor or the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The Federal Governments First Responder Initiative will help these brave Americans do their jobs better. Building on existing capabilities at the Federal, State, and local level, the First Responder Initiative provides an incentive to develop mutually supportive programs that maximize effective response capability. Through joint planning, clear communication, comprehensive coordination, mutual aid at all levels and increased information sharing, America's first responders can be trained and equipped to save lives in the event of a terrorist attack. Many people have visited websites which contain tributes to the events and hero’s of September 11, 2001, and one image that frequents so many sites including my own has a picture of a New York firefighter passing the U.S. Flag to a military soldier with the caption reading “will take it from here.”

The military has been fighting the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and now is preparing to disarm Iraq. We must continue with Operation Enduring Freedom in the fight to prevent further terrorist attacks that cause such destruction and the loss of more American lives. Many people visit this wonderful site for various reasons, some visit to learn more about our firefighters, our police officers, and our emergency medical services personnel. Some visits to learn about whom these individuals are, and others are actual members of these very special public safety services.

Therefore there is a wide variety of views when entering the site; and American-firefighters.com provides extensive information and educational materials that assist the visitors. I too hope there war can be avoided however with the Iraqi government again not cooperating and now a new alliance with Bin Laden and al Qaeda terrorist, what options do we really have left. I do not want to see more of our brothers and sisters in the public safety field die unnecessarily. I know that these men and women will not hesitate to lay down their lives if God forbid that the Iraqi government attempts to release its chemical and biological or nuclear devices. Please keep our men and women of law enforcement, firefighter, EMS Personnel, as well as our military in your prayers.

Sources: Office of Homeland Security FEMA Gordon Sinclair

Respectfully,

David

Olympus Camera Averts Boycott

Olympus cameras have removed a commercial that had depicted Paramedics stealing a new camera based on its design. Olympus Company officials have removed the commercial from television markets as well as its website; in addition Olympus has apologized to the EMS Community------04-28-2006

Two Unions Fight over 2500 AMR Medics in Northern California

AMR California Employees current contract was set to end in July 1, 2006, but that contract has now been extended through the end of July 2006. The two unions fighting over the right to bargain for the AMR Medics consists of the Service Employees International Union which was dumped last year and the current Union National Emergency Services Association. NEMSA is preparing to mail ballots to AMR Medics by late June 2006, asking them to ratify the first contract brokered by the new Union. SEIU is accusing NEMSA of making proposals to Management without any AMR employee input and per SEIU claims that NEMSA has tried to make “back-door deals, with AMR’s Management. NEMSA president states the SEIU has no power to influence the current contract negotiations. At stake our increased wages and benefits, this current proposal and upcoming membership vote will be the first big test of what NEMSA claims that they can deliver to the AMR Medics. (Updates will be posted regarding the out come of both the vote and what it truly means for the medics who are currently paying dues to be honestly and properly represented.)

Paramedic Shot by Patient

North Carolina-Tami Stephen a paramedic with Madison County Emergency Medical Services was shot once in the chest Sunday July 30 2006. She is listed in serious but stable condition as of Monday July 31, 2006 at Mission Hospitals in Asheville.

Joseph Boyer Candler Jr., 68, on a charge of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury. Stephen was shot after responding with fellow EMS Personnel were dispatched to a local Country Club for an individual who was losing consciousness.

Once on scene, they found Candler intoxicated, Chandlers wife asked the EMS crew and fire department personnel to assist her and her husband into their home, as they were assisting him out of the car he pulled a pistol out of his pants pocket and fired one shot into Stephen’s chest. Other medics and firefighters wrestled the gun away from Chandler, before he could fire any additional shots.

The Fire Chief Ledford stated that “I believe that it was the quick action of the first responders that kept other shots from being fired,” Ledford said. Police also found a Colt .380-caliber handgun and two clips Chandler’s car after the shooting.

EMT Arrested for Driving Ambulance Drunk

Monday August 1, 2006 A Kentucky Ambulance Service EMT was arrested twice within a twenty-four hour period for driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of drugs. 24 year-old Jonathan Turner an Emergency Medical Technician, was arrested on Monday July 31, 2006, after he was spotted driving an ambulance on wrong side of the road. After he was released on bond he was arrested again on Tuesday August 1, 2006 mid morning after nearly striking a sheriff's police car. A passenger with Turner during the second arrest, was charged with public intoxication and drug counts.

Michigan EMT Charged with Sexual Assault

08-18-2006 Mount Clemens, MI--A 35-year-old Matt Defillippo a State of Michigan Licensed Emergency Medical Technician was charged August 17, 2006, with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Defillippo was employed by Superior Ambulance Service on July 25, 2006 both Defillippo and his Partner were dispatched to a hospital to transfer a 14 year old girl, to another hospital. Defillippo is accused Defillippo sexually assaulted the girl, and is accused of fondling and kissing the 14 year old teenager. When questioned by Michigan State Police Investigators court documents indicated that Defillippo confessed to the assault over the course of the investigation.

Michigan State Police Trooper Chris Tucky stated that "The entire situation was unusual because Defillippo was in the back of the ambulance with the girl and he shut the lights off," Tucky said. "His partner said it was unusual that his partner would be in back of the ambulance with the lights off and talking to the girl during the entire trip."

Defillippo has no prior criminal record, court documents state that the 14 year old girl was very frightened, to initially file a police report; reports indicate she felt her actions were not completely involuntary.

Police reports and court documents bare out that quote “It doesn't matter whether the girl's actions were voluntary or not because she is 14 years old." Defillippo is being held in the County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond

Sources: Macomb Daily

Macomb County42-2 District Court.

AMR SOLD

American Medical Response Inc, along with EmCare a division of AMR has been sold to Onex Partners LP out of Toronto. Onex paid a purchase price for AMR along with EmCare for an approximately $1 billion price tag. A reported equity investment consisted of approximately $270 million giving Onex a 98% ownership interest. The equity investment was funded through Onex Partners LP along with a certain portion of its limited partners.

AMR is the largest U.S. provider of ambulance transport services, which is currently operating 4,400 vehicles in more than 260 locations through out 34 states and currently employs approximately 18,200 employees. EmCare which is a leading provider of out sourced for hospital emergency department physicians along with staffing and management services in the United States. EmCare presently has contracts with over 300 hospitals in 38 states which employ an approximate 4,100 employees and clinicians.

This is the fourth investment in healthcare Onex has completed since the beginning of 2004.accoring to a February press release by Onex.

There is currently no indication of change in services or employee status

Changes at EMS Village

09-2006 EMS Village has completely updated their content management system to reflect the truly interactive nature of the Internet. Now each and every article posted will automatically add a link to the message forums to promote discussion on the topic by fellow EMS Village members. In addition, Members have the opportunity to express their general feeling of the topic by voting the article as positive, negative or no opinion.

EMS Village is the perfect forum for EMS providers to learn how other EMS providers from around the country feel on a wide variety of topics.

I strongly encourage you to sign up today for a membership account. I have and EMS Village has proven to be a great resource site.

http://www.emsvillage.com

USCG Responds to Possible Mackinac Bridge Threat

8/14 - Sault Ste. Marie, MI - U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie increased patrols across the Straits of Mackinac in response to a possible terrorist threat to the Mackinaw Bridge Sunday.

After learning of a possible threat to the Mackinaw Bridge, the U.S. Coast Guard increased the number of patrols in the vicinity of the bridge. The additional patrols are being conducted to deter, detect and allow for a more timely response to any possible threats made to the bridge.

The general threat level in which the Coast Guard operates under has not increased. The Coast Guard will work with local law enforcement authorities and other DHS agencies to assist as needed.

We would like to remind the public to contact local authorities if any suspicious activity is observed in the vicinity of the bridge.

USCG News Release

Cmdr. John Little Captain of Mackinaw (30) Thanks Local Politicians

July 2006 Cmdr. John Little, Captain of the New U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (30) sent a letter to the city of Cheboygan it’s Mayor and the City Council which extended his deep appreciation for the support regarding the joint ceremony held June 10, 2006 which marked the decommissioning of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (83) and the commissioning of the New high tech Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (30)

Cmdr. John Little, stated that “The fantastic support you and the city of Cheboygan provided allowed us to carry out this historic event - the crowning moment in Mackinaw's rich history,” Little wrote. “Since day one in Cheboygan, the Coast Guard has felt the warmth and support of this close-knit community. As sailors aboard Mackinaw's decks, we always look forward to pulling into our home port - the magnificent city of Cheboygan.”

Cmdr. Little also remarked as to the large turnout of the dual ceremony, which was estimated at more than 3,000. Which included dignitaries such as the United States Coast Guard’s newly appointed Commandant, The new Ninth District Commander, which included Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois, and U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, Dem from Menominee.

Cmdr. Little finalized his letter stating “You and the city of Cheboygan honored these guests with unparalleled hospitality,” Little concluded. “Mackinaw looks forward to a future of making new history on these Great Lakes and look forward to including the city of Cheboygan when possible.”

FLINT MICHIGAN EMT CHARGED WITH MURDER AS WELL AS OTHER CRIMES CONTINUED TO WORK AS AN EMT

09-22-2006--An emergency medical technician facing murder charges continued to work for a local ambulance company after she was convicted of stealing $900 from a patient. Lisa L. Upchurch, 39, of Flint is charged with killing her boyfriend Sept. 6. Police said she was jealous that he got a cell phone call from another woman while she was with him.

Until her arrest last week, Upchurch worked for Regional EMS in Flint Township despite a felony conviction that could have cost Upchurch her EMT license. But state officials never took action against her because she never informed them that she had been convicted. "We rely on them to be honest," said Robin Shivley, who oversees EMT licensing for the state Department of Community Health.

Although state law requires EMT’s to disclose criminal convictions when they renew their license, the state doesn't do its own criminal checks. If it had done so, the state would have found out that Upchurch failed to tell the state she was on probation for cashing a $900 check that emptied the bank account of a woman who needed an ambulance three years ago in Fenton.

Police records show Upchurch was working for DVA Ambulance in March 2003 when she was sent to help a woman who had fallen.

After taking the woman to Hurley Medical Center, Upchurch claimed the woman asked her to call the bank and check her account balances. Upchurch later told police the woman wrote her a check for $900 and said she returned to the hospital the next day and gave the woman the cash.

The woman, however, denied writing the check and told police the signature on the check was forged. Upchurch pleaded guilty to an attempted bad check charge and was given 2 years' probation and ordered to repay the $900. DVA officials declined to comment.

An official at Regional EMS said the company was unaware of the 2003 incident, even though the court in July ordered Regional to withhold $20 from Upchurch's paychecks to satisfy the money she still owed in the case. "I don't know why we didn't know," said Regional operations manager Greg Chittle.

The state opened an investigation into the allegations but closed it in January 2005 - four months before Upchurch pleaded guilty to charges brought by the Genesee County prosecutor's office.

Shivley said the investigation was closed because two years had passed without a conviction.

The state would likely have taken a stern view of Upchurch's conviction, particularly because it involved theft of money from a vulnerable patient. "We look at those types of things very strongly," said Shivley. It wasn't the first time Upchurch had been in trouble for fraud.

She was sentenced to 1-5 years in prison in 1991 for an attempted bad check charge in Genesee County but was able to obtain an EMT license from the state in 1999. Regional knew about the earlier conviction after she passed a criminal background check when she was first hired several years ago, said Chittle.

"She had a clean record since 1993, so we took that into consideration," said Chittle. Who also stated that people should not be concerned the next time they need an ambulance. Stating that "we all do background checks and take the utmost precaution," said Chittle.

There are about 320 licensed ambulance personnel in Genesee County and nearly 30,000 statewide. The state has taken action against 48 licenses this year. (2006) "To me, that's a significant amount," said Shivley, adding that the state is taking a harder look at licensees.

A local official agrees the state has been cracking down in the past year but said part of the problem is that private ambulance companies have different hiring standards. The state does not require ambulance companies to do background checks.

"Criminal backgrounds should be included in hiring practices," said Bruce Trevithick, executive director of Genesee County Medical Control Authority. Upchurch is being held in the Genesee County Jail and has been placed on administrative leave by Regional EMS.

The State’s Department of Community Health is working with the State Attorney General's Office to obtain an emergency order to suspend Upchurch's EMT license pending the outcome of her current criminal case.

(Editorial will be posted to the EMS Information Page regarding this and other mistakes made by State EMS and Contractual Agencies failures that place EMS Personnel and Patients at risk. Watch for notification of upload.)

Paramedic's Families receive Donation

In late October 2006 the families of two Paramedics received some much needed assistance this week from two 100 Clubs.

A check for $10,000 was delivered to the family of Marble Falls paramedic Eric Hansen, who was killed in a head-on collision while driving an ambulance October 10. Money was also given to another Paramedic, Kayla Floyd, who is recovering from severe injuries suffered in the same crash.

The Paramedics were traveling Highway 71 after delivering a patient to an Austin hospital.

A 100 Club is a charitable organization that helps families of first responders nationwide who are killed or critically injured in the line of duty.

"We find out where their needs might be. They might need a mortgage paid off... they may need a car paid off... or maybe they may just need to get rid of a car. Or maybe they need legal assistance with wills or financial assistance," said Ginger MacMicking, 100 Club executive vice president.

The money was made possible by a joint effort of the 100 Club of Central Texas and the Hill Country 100 Club.

If you'd like to make a donation to the Hill Country 100 Club you can send it to: P.O. Box 381, Burnet Texas, 78611.

EMS Helicopter Crash

Devore, CA A Bell 412 utility helicopter, operated by Denver-based Air Methods Corp.'s Mercy Air Services, crashed about 6 pm on Sunday, December 10, 2006. It was en route to its base in Victorville and crashed near the city of Hesperia after it had just dropped off an injured person at a hospital.

The crash may have been caused due to foggy weather in the Cajon Pass. The helicopter crashed and burned 55 miles northeast of Los Angeles killing the pilot, a paramedic and a nurse. The identities of the three people aboard have not yet been released.

Feb 26, 2007 Chatham-Kent Paramedic Killed responding to Call

A Sun Parlour Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Paul W. Patterson was killed Sunday morning February 25, 2007, when his Rapid Response Unit crashed while responding to an accident in the Blenheim area. A memorial page has been setup and can be found on this site's Line of Duty Page. "GO"

Detroit man takes Medics Hostage

01-03-2007 A 30-year-old Detroit Michigan man took two EMS Medics and a neighbor who came to check on his well being hostage. Norman Dorise called 911 at 3:15 p.m. indicating that he had suffered an injury to his leg. An EMS unit and two Medics were dispatched to the home.

When the Medics entered the home, Dorise pulled a gun on them, as well as a neighbor who came to the house. The three were held at gunpoint. Detroit Police were notified and responded; eventually police talked Dorise into releasing both the Medics and neighbor. However a short time later Dorise; existed his residence brandishing the gun and then pointing the gun at Police.

Officers on scene ordered the suspect to put down the weapon when he failed to do as told police officers were forced to fire striking Dorise several times in the buttocks, arms and pelvic regions.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy on Wednesday charged Norman Dorise of Detroit with three counts of kidnapping; one count of extortion; three counts of assault with intent to commit a felony; six counts of felonious assault; five counts of assault and resisting and obstructing a police officer and one count of felony firearm in connection with the New Year's Day 2007 incident.

If Dorise is convicted of kidnapping which carries a maximum penalty of up to life in prison in Michigan, in addition the other charges could result in a total of 38 years behind bars.

This story will continue to be updated.

Sources: The Detroit News

Medic from Agency

Detroit Paramedic Shot

01-07-2007: A Paramedic was shot while on Saturday January 06, 2007 in the Line of Duty.

The Medic was confronted by a man who robbed and shot him in the arm, according to local police. The wounded medics name has not yet been released was transported to Sinai Grace Hospital where he remains in serious condition. The suspect has been described as a black man, 6 feet tall with a medium complexion. He was last seen wearing a ski mask, dark-colored jeans and a gray-hooded sweatshirt.

Police continue to investigate.

American Medical Response Paramedic Police Officer Stabbed

03-19-2007 New Haven, Connecticut: Emergency officials responding to a psychologically unstable, weapon-bearing 18-year-old on Saturday March 17, 2007, emerged from the situation with minor wounds, but no shots fired. A Paramedic from American Medical Response approached to help, the male teen wielded scissors and stabbed the medic in the neck. Police Officer Edwin Dejesus came onto the scene, at which point the teen tried to grab his gun from the holster, according to police.

Several officers stepped in and were able to "contain" the teenager, who remains in the hospital under psych watch and under arrest for assaulting a medical technician, among other charges. The officer and the medic were treated and released from St. Raphael's Hospital with minor injuries.

Female AMR Paramedic Critical Following Accident

California City of Oakley 04-16-2007- An AMR Ambulance responding to a call and operating with it’s lights and siren activated was involved in a collision after a pickup truck turned left at an intersection directly in the path of the Ambulance.

The Driver of the Ambulance attempted to avoid a collision with the pickup truck, however the Unit struck its front corner panel. The AMR Ambulance lost control, and ended up in a near by ditch, the pickup was spun several times.

Fire crews responded to the scene and had to extricate the 81 year old driver. In addition an AMR female Paramedic on the passenger side also had to be extricated by fire crews. Both the AMR Paramedic and the pickup driver were flown in critical conditions to the local trauma unit.

The Paramedic driving the unit was not injured in the collision and rendered aid to both his partner as well as the driver of the pickup before additional units arrived on scene.

Per AMR personnel the accident occurred at approximately 8:30am Monday April 16, 2007. A second unit was dispatched to the original call.

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services officials are investigating about a dozen paramedics, including two commanders, suspected of visiting pornographic Web sites on city computers while on duty.

Officials demoted two commanders Monday and suspended them without pay for two weeks. They said some paramedics probably will be fired at disciplinary hearings this week.

"This is a very unusual, embarrassing situation, and we are going to deal with it," Assistant City Manager Mike McDonald said. "We don't expect this type of behavior from any of our employees."

Chebon Tiger, president of the Austin-Travis County EMS Employee Association, said he is not aware of the specifics of the investigation. He said his association "regrets the damage this situation causes to the trust that the public has placed in us."

Officials said they spent the weekend reviewing Internet logs to determine which Web sites paramedics had visited, how often they visited them and how long they stayed on the sites.

Some employees seemed to have spent hours at a time viewing a mix of hard- and soft-core pornographic materials on computers throughout the system's 30 stations, McDonald and EMS director Richard Herrington said.

No employees accessed illegal sites, including those offering child pornography, they said.

Herrington said most of the viewing seemed to have occurred during paramedics' down time, when they are between calls and are allowed to cook, sleep or watch television.

Each EMS station has at least one computer with Internet access, which the system's more than 400 paramedics frequently use to access medical training sites or check dispatch records.

Herrington said computer technicians last month began scrutinizing Internet access among paramedics to determine peak usage times and to spot-check sites they were visiting.

The technicians noticed that some paramedics had logged onto Web sites with names that appeared to be pornographic, he said.

Herrington said he asked the technicians for a list of paramedics who seemed to have accessed objectionable sites during the past six months, the maximum period such records are available.

Paramedics under Investigation for Porn on Work Computer

EMS officials later learned that some of the sites were not pornographic and eliminated some paramedics from the investigation.

However, others sites were pornographic, Herrington said. "I was disappointed," he said. "They know absolutely it is inappropriate and not tolerated by the city and this department."

Herrington would not release the names of the demoted commanders until the paperwork was processed by human resources officials.

McDonald said city policy prohibits employees from accessing objectionable Web sites, and employees are encouraged to use the Internet only for work-related business.

City technicians try to block employee access to pornographic sites, but officials said sites are created or existing sites are altered more quickly than technicians can block them.

Michigan Ambulance Accident

03-05-2007 A registered nurse and a hospital patient died Monday afternoon in a traffic accident involving an ambulance and logging truck on U.S. 41 in Skandia Township in the County of Escanaba Michigan

A Rampart EMS ambulance transporting Carrie Roberts, 38, Escanaba, from OSF St. Francis Hospital to Marquette General Hospital rear-ended an empty logging truck which was stopped on the northbound shoulder about 3:00 p.m. Monday February 05 2007

The truck, driven by Ronald Constantino, 67, belonged to Kanerva Forest Products. According to state police, Constantino was waiting for traffic to clear before attempting a wide right turns into a private driveway.

Roberts and Lisa Hanson, 32, a registered nurse at OSF, were both killed in the accident. The Medic driving the ambulance, Natalia Jauquet, 25, and her Partner Ryan Peterson, 29, Bark River, were transported to Marquette General Hospital.

The truck driver was uninjured.

OSF representatives said Roberts was being transferred to MGH in serious condition, and Hanson was needed during the transfer due to the level of care Roberts required.

Hanson had worked for OSF since 1996 as an emergency nurse, and is survived by her husband, Scott, and three children.

Jauquet is currently being treated in the intensive care unit at MGH. Peterson was treated and released. According to state police, the immediate factors in the crash are unknown.

State troopers were assisted at the scene by Marquette General EMS, Skandia-West Branch Township Fire and First Responders, Forsyth Township Police Department, Marquette County Sheriff’s Department, and the Marquette County Road Commission.

Michigan Medic may face charges in March Accident

April 04, 2007 Police say they will seek charges of negligent homicide against the Medic Natalia Jauquet, 25 who was operating an ambulance which struck a logging truck in March 2007, that result in the deaths of an E.R. nurse and the patient she and her partner were transferring to another hospital.

The decision on whether to pursue charges will be made by the Marquette County prosecutor.

According to the Michigan State Police accident report and reconstruction of the accident EMT Natalia Jauquet, 25, of Gladstone, was driving a Rampart ambulance when it crashed on March 5 in Skandia Township in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The recommendations on police reports, recommend the pursuit of criminal charges, police using reconstruction evidence as well as witness statements confirm that Jauquet was operating the ambulance at the time of the collision.

Michigan State Police have repeatedly requested interviews with Jauquet, but her attorney said she will not allow her to talk to investigators according to Trooper Robert O’Conner of the Negaunee State Police Post.

Officials are hopeful an interview scheduled for today with the attending medic Ryan Peterson, 29, of Bark River, will result in shedding new information they need to determine who was driving the ambulance.

Peterson a Paramedic survived the crash along with Jauquet.

Police report indicates he was in the back of the ambulance when the crash occurred.

Trooper O’Conner stated “I’m hoping that Ryan Peterson has a clear recollection up to the collision and he’s able to tell us what happened,” said. “So far we have no accounts from anyone in the ambulance.”

State police also plan to interview today two witnesses who were in a vehicle traveling behind the ambulance when the accident happened, he said.

While transporting a patient from St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba on the afternoon of March 5, the ambulance collided into a semi that was pulled over on the side of U.S. 41. Killed in the accident were Lisa Hanson, 32, of Cornell, a registered nurse, and Carrie Roberts, 38, of Escanaba, a patient in serious condition being transported to Marquette General Hospital

The Medic driving, was listed as Jauquet, also an emergency medical technician, (EMT) and Peterson were injured in the accident and transported to Marquette General. Peterson was treated and released. Jauquet was admitted to the intensive care unit. No other information is being released on Jauquet, per her family’s request, according to hospital officials.

The truck driver, Ron Constantino, 67, of Brampton, was not injured in the crash.

State police have completed an accident reconstruction analysis last week concluding the Medic driving the ambulance was at fault, O’Conner said. He did not know when police would be submitting a report to the Marquette County prosecutor for consideration of the negligent homicide charges. Negligent homicide is a high court misdemeanor carrying a maximum punishment of two years imprisonment and a $2,000 fine.

O’Connor stated that if Peterson “gives us information that he was in the back with the two that were killed and Jauquet was driving,” the report could be submitted to the prosecutor “as early as Monday,” he said.

“Without that information, we’re forced to wait on evidence from the ambulance.”

Such evidence includes an analysis of blood and body fluids from the driver’s side, O’Conner said. DNA testing could take several months.

The Marquette County Prosecuting Attorney Gary Walker said Tuesday March 13, 2007, that he had not yet received anything from Michigan State Police. He did say he has been in contact with the State Police post but did not know if police would be pursuing any criminal charges in connection with the accident.

Medic Quits Investigation Continues

03-15-2007 A Medic is accused of writing his phone number along patient's panty line as she was being treated for a seizure.

A Lockhart Emergency Medical Services employee resigned Thursday in the midst of an investigation into whether he had written his phone number along a female patient's panty line as she was being treated for a seizure.

The medic stated “that it was at her request,"

The city began investigating the complaint against John Lopez on Thursday, City Manager Vance Rodgers said. Lopez resigned a short time later.

Lockhart EMS serves about 25,000 people; its coverage area includes the city and the northern two-thirds of Caldwell County, which is bordered by Hays, Travis and Bastrop counties. Lockhart lacks a community hospital, so patients are taken to Luling, San Marcos and Austin when necessary

Medics and Firefighters Ambushed and Attacked

Ohio--Paramedic David Mordarski, 32, was cut near his eye by flying glass two men went on a rampage Friday April 13, 2007, in addition firefighter Ray Ruffin was slightly hurt with a bat after they came under attack.

As a result of the attack both emergency vehicles involved had to be taken out of service, which means the vandalism is a felony rather than a misdemeanor, police said.

According to police the Medics and Firefighters were sent to a call indicating that a car had hit a pedestrian. Upon arrival and after finding any accident they began to leave when two men attacked their vehicles.

This is the second time paramedics have been attacked in recent months. Two bricks were thrown through the windshield of a rescue squad vehicle five months ago.

Female AMR Paramedic Critical Following Accident

The Paramedic driving the unit was not injured in the collision and rendered aid to both his partner as well as the driver of the pickup before additional units arrived on scene.

Per AMR personnel the accident occurred at approximately 8:30am Monday April 16, 2007. A second unit was dispatched to the original call.