‘Our new reality’: BC Paramedics Union outlines dangers within the job | 24CA News
The BC Ambulance Paramedics Union is highlighting numerous dangers that members face every day, after first responder security was the topic of a invoice launched in parliament final week.
According to the APBC assaults towards these in uniform have spiked over the previous couple of years.
“It does seem to have escalated since COVID I guess we can’t really say we’re post-COVID because we seem to be going in and out of it,” mentioned Corey Froese, CUPE 873 Ambulance Paramedics of BC Provincial Safety Director.
“There’s been a marked difference between 2019 and now, of the way escalation of violence has been impacting not only all uniforms in the country but specifically paramedics in BC as well.”
Through a survey with paramedics within the province, Corey Froese recognized what forms of assaults, amongst gunfire, had been commonest towards paramedics within the final 5 years, a lot of which he witnessed himself.
“I had everything from biting, pushing, threats, sexual assaults, punches…every one of our paramedics has had some sort of encounter,” mentioned Froese.
“Needle sticks sometimes happen, I’ve actually been in a situation while on a call where we were attacked with a needle.”
Last week Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty launched a personal member invoice in parliament that, if handed, would amend the Criminal Code of Canada to make assaults towards healthcare employees and first responders an aggravating circumstance throughout sentencing.
“We have to do all we can to protect the people we serve. We really try hard as paramedics to identify that we’re here to help,” mentioned Clifford.
Risk evaluation when responding to a name is a part of paramedic coaching, nevertheless, self-defence will not be, and in keeping with Froese there’s a dialog available about what forms of coaching or instruments may very well be a chance on the subject of paramedics’ security
“Maybe we need to start looking at things like stab vests, maybe we need to start wearing body cameras. Ten years ago I would have laughed and said that was ridiculous. Today I question whether or not this is our new reality,” mentioned Froese.
“I don’t know how far this is going to go but we need to come up with strategies, we need appropriate training we need to find de-escalation training that’s effective that works in the real world.”
In the final six months alone, eight law enforcement officials have been killed on the job throughout the nation. That contains B.C., Ontario, and most not too long ago in Edmonton.
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