Comments on: More on Zero Tolerance…!!!

By: Mad hatter

Mad hatter — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:03:25 +0000

We in GWAS get nothing, we’re getting sick of it

By: uphilldowndale

uphilldowndale — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:02:54 +0000

May be we public would be a little more vocal and supportive if we considered (even if it is somewhat selfishly) that an assault on ambulance staff, puts us and our families at risk; as I imagine, NHS budgets being what they are, that there is no such thing as ‘spare’ crews or vehicles to cover when an assault takes personnel/equipment off the road.
This means less resources for all of us, should we be unfortunate enough to need it.

KM if you get a grip of how to get photographs in the side bar, could you drop me a maily, with your secret please!

By: Kingmagic

Kingmagic — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:46:43 +0000

Emma…believe it or not I,m still getting to grips with IT on this blog. I have tried to add sidebar widgets and such like for ages but to no avail.

I have recently cracked it with posting videos…hence the plethora of vids recently.

Stonehead…if we are going to a recognised violent incident then we do stand off until the boys and girls in blue arrive.
But even then the situation can worsen and violence escalate.

The problem is complicated when not enough info is passed to the control and then on to us. Most Ambo peeps around the country will have a incident to relate about attending a seemingly innocent job only for it to descend into abuse/violence due to the patients mental state.

So apart from the obvious danger signs…alcohol/drugs/assault/weapons involved/mental incapacity…there are all the other factors…domestic strife/english not first language/cultural barriers/medical probs ie hypos etc.

We try to minimise the risks at much as possible.

By: Stonehead

Stonehead — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:41:47 +0000

Something else I just remembered.

I met a US paramedic a couple of years ago whose vehicle was ambushed and fired upon. His vehicle and a second had patients who were being taken from the scene of a domestic to hospital.

The abusive husband got ahead of the ambulances on obvious route to the hospital and shot them up with a shotgun. A couple of paramedics were seriosuly injured in the incident.

Fortunately, gun crime is still relatively low in the UK, but the potential is still there.

Look out for yourselves.

By: Stonehead

Stonehead — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:37:08 +0000

Is there much use of staging areas when you’re sent to an assault or other potentially violet situation? I know in parts of Australia and in the US, fire and ambulance crews won’t go in until police have actually secured the area (as opposed to being present).

The attitude being that more lives could be lost than the ones already at risk if emergency personnel go in unprotected.

In unsecured, more fluid situations, the personnel on the ground may make a decision to go in if they believe the risks are worth it/manageable/containable, eg enough police to make retreat possible and plenty of cover/escape routes.

I suppose that would run head-on into the ORCON targets, though.

By: Emma

Emma — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:55:09 +0000

KM have you thought about starting an online petition for stab vests with No 10, I have signed quite a few recently and display one on my blog for improving transport in Iraq, I would happily sign your and also link to it from me if it would help.

I notice round here they have moved on from bombarding fire engines to attacking ambulances now, like you say does someone really have to lose their life for action to be taken..

If you don’t want to start the petition yourself I will do it for you..xx

By: Kingmagic

Kingmagic — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:04:00 +0000

Thanks Leila

I know that this does go on all over the country but only by the grace of God and Ambulance “spidey senses” no-one has been killed …yet!

I think its about time it was highlighted even more. The general public does not really know what we put up with on a daily basis.

As I keep saying in previous posts/comments…people/scumbags/scroats/chavs etc should be made aware of the consequences of their actions…and the punishment should fit the crime!

By: Leila

Leila — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:53:21 +0000

Couldn’t find your email address anywhere, so it comes in a comment! There was an attack on an ambulance crew in Cardiff this week

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7103845.stm

I though it was just the really big cities that had this problem!

Unfortunately, these morons rely on the fact that you don’t know it was them, when you’re called to deal with them drunk / drugged / beaten up.

By: uphilldowndale

uphilldowndale — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:05:33 +0000

‘staff do not want them’ I think the choice would be a reasonable option. There must be certain jobs in certain places that set your nerves on edge.
I don’t think they look provocative, they just look well, uniform, and if its a surgical gloves and a stethoscope rather than a pair of handcuffs and a baton that the vest is adorned with, the difference should be clear.

By: Kingmagic

Kingmagic — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:27:54 +0000

I dont think we have a petition going to to force the government to issue stab vests.

As with all things in our society today the onus of responsibility has passed from government down to individual health trusts to provide protective equipment.

My service has said “No” to stab vests stating that they are provocative and that staff do not want them!

This statement came from a senior manager who was once roadstaff! At the end of the day all managers are concerned about is cost and ORCON!