EMS Fatalities

[AnthonyM83]

I don't recall ever seeing this article posted here, so thought I'd share:

http://www.emsedsem.org/Prior%20Articles/E...from%20JEMS.pdf

I knew the job was dangerous, but didn't realize it was that close to police officers. Of

[captainstandup]

I wasn't aware of that article either. Fools on the highways are likely the greatest threat to Paramedics. Reckless ambulance driving, drunks on the roadways, and the worst is collisions between dumbass drivers half asleep, drunk or on the cellphone crashing into Emergency services folks working on the roadside.

After loosing two LE personnel we started staging the biggest fire apparatus, preferably a large tanker or ladder approx 50 yards behind the accident scene at a left facing angle to deflect a vehicle away from personnel. One department sends their 3000 gallon freightliner tandem axle tanker for this purpose. This is a new tanker and the chief said he wasn't worried about it being damaged, adding they would sue the estate of whomever hit it and if that was enough the FD has it insured.

[VentMedic]

Anyone familiar with Nadine Levick MD, MPH and her work for ambulance safety? The website has some good safety proposals and seminar information.

http://www.objectivesafety.net/

The other big article on safety released earlier this year was on sleep deprivation and safety.

http://www.jems.com/Images/March_2007_Arou...075891061D243AE