FYI – Please see the US Fire Administration email chain below, as several of our VPP Sites have onsite EMS services.
There is a general lack of knowledge and skill on how to prevent violent attacks on EMS workers from occurring. Free online training opportunities, like this National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health course, can help to address this issue.
If applicable for your site, please consider including EMS worker safety into your site's workplace violence prevention program.
Violence Against EMS Responders
Current Issues and Events | Aug. 31, 2017
"When responding to emergency medical calls, threats of violence to EMS workers can come from patients, family members, or even bystanders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 2,600 EMS workers received hospital treatment in 2014 for injuries resulting from work-related violence.
Last year, researchers published an article that investigated injuries to paramedics and emergency medical technicians from patient-initiated violence. These EMS workers were employed by a large, urban fire department.
You can read about the research findings and download the complete article on the USFA's website. (https://www.usfa.fema.gov/current_events/083117.html) "