PAX Centurion - September / October 2014

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • September/Octoberr 2014 • Page 35 cent of all EMS calls nationwide. With the advent of the 911 system, EMTs and Medics, formerly looked up to as an authority figure who made a difference in life-or-death situations, are now merely viewed as merely another public servant, at the beckon call for every need, want, or whim. The prevailing attitude at EMS is that getting assaulted, spit on, pushed around, and kicked is just part of the job. It comes with the territory. In a twisted way, it’s so overwhelmingly prevalent and commonplace that over time it has simply become ‘part of the job.’ So much so that if you protest, get seen in the ER, or choose to press charges, you are widely regarded as a wimp.You can’t hack it.You can’t take it.You should go home to your mommy. After pressing charges against one assailant, I had a co-worker ask me if my feelings were hurt. Anyone with this view is clearly part of the problem. EMTs have been dealing with this climate for decades. The num- ber of assault cases keeps going up, and up as our society continues to decay. Some sporadic attempts at self defense training have been made, but they were not offered to all EMTs at Boston EMS. Various appendages of the Boston EMS, and Public Health Commission administrations seem, divided on the issue, and war over whether it should be given at all, for fear of ‘offending’ someone. Other solu- tions? Role-playing scenarios to better prepare the EMT for violent patients. De-escalation training for tense situations. Staging a block over to await the police. Nothing has worked to stop this. Nothing. Attention To all members of the Boston Police Relief Association – Active Duty or Retired If you need to change your beneficiary or you are not sure of who your beneficiary is you can contact the relief office at 617-364-9565. If you leave a message your call will be returned and if necessary the paperwork will be sent out to you. Thank you. William F. Carroll, Clerk, Boston Police Relief Association So, I figure it’s time for a new strategy. A strategy that mirrors efforts by EMS organizations across the nation. Pressing charges . If you are assaulted while working as an EMT, or Paramedic – Press Charges. Every time. At Boston EMS, that’s roughly three to five assaults a week (probably a lot more). Maybe then, when people are made to answer for their actions, things will change. Maybe, when court clerks and magistrates see two or three ORMORE as- sault on an EMT cases a week, they’ll take notice. Maybe the media will notice when they see the courthouse lobby clogged with EMTs every day. Maybe the penalty will increase from a slap on the wrist, to something more meaningful. Maybe when people are faced with the rare novelty of being responsible for their own actions, things will change. I realize this is pie-in-the-sky, but if the general public knew they were going to do a mandatory year in jail for assaulting an EMT, someone who came to help them, assaults would drop like a stone. The Blue Goose at the 9/11 Police Bike-A-Thon to New York City