Wednesday 26 August 2009
Tuesday 09 June 2009
Medic choked by Oklahoma Highway Patrol
In emergency medical technician is speaking out following an alleged incident involving Oklahoma Highway Patrol which nearly resulted in his being arrested.
Maurice White Jr. is a critical care paramedic with Creek Nation EMS. On May 24, he was one of two EMTs transporting a patient to a local hospital by ambulance. He was in the patient compartment; his partner Paul Franks was driving the vehicle.
White’s report states that while passing through the small town of Paden a state trooper approached the ambulance from behind at a high rate of speed, lights flashing but with no siren. Franks had been focused on the car in front of him. At White’s instruction Franks pulled onto the shoulder to allow the trooper to go by, but as the latter passed he heard over his radio on the emergency frequency that “you should consider checking your rearview mirrors.” Allegedly this was when Franks threw up his hands in a universal gesture of, “What did I do?” White recalled being stunned at the trooper’s lack of professionalism.
Three blocks later, White reports, a trooper made a wild left turn from a side street in front of them, cutting off a car driven by a family member of the woman they were transporting. A trooper approached the ambulance from the rear and gestured to pull over. At that point, White reports that he noticed a woman in the front seat of the police vehicle. Thinking she might need medical attention and that this explained the troopers’ erratic driving, he leaped out to assess the situation, as did the driver.
To his surprise, the trooper was enraged, having misinterpreted Franks’ gesture as “flipping him off.” White informed the trooper that they were transporting a woman to the hospital and asked if they might continue. He was told he was “under arrest for obstructing a police officer” and grabbed by the right arm. White asked the officer if he knew he was committing a felony by interfering with a paramedic in the line of duty.
This only enraged the trooper further. A minor struggle ensued, after which he was able to return to the patient compartment. Both the patient and a family member who had been riding in the passenger seat were praying. Other family members who had been following the ambulance in a caravan had stopped and were looking on with mounting alarm.
Moments later, a loud knock sounded on the side door. Here we have a video of the officer, whose badge number was 606, restraining White with a hand around his neck for 10 to 15 seconds. Afterwards, Officer 606 released White, told him he could continue with the transport, but also told him he would be arrested at the hospital.
While attempting to deal with the police, White was also dealing with distraught family members, telling them to “stay out of the situation.” Not once, he reports, did any police officer show the slightest interest in the patient or her condition.
At the hospital, White filled out the routine report releasing the patient to the hospital and then walked outside to submit himself for arrest. He was told he would not be arrested at this time but to be prepared to respond when a warrant was issued. He gave his contact information, but received “nonresponse responses” when asked who he should speak to in order to report the conduct of Officer 606, who he alleged had assaulted him and prevented him from maintaining patient care. “It is not our job to receive criminal complaints against another officer,” he was told.
It began with the officer who claimed to have been “flipped off.” White reported what Paul Franks had been told, that Officer 606 “had determined in his mind to escalate to pulling his service revolver and using deadly force…. I find it very disconcerting to know that a person of this temperament is allowed to patrol our streets while possessing the profound responsibility of having the use of deadly force at his disposal.”
Maurice White Jr. is a critical care paramedic with Creek Nation EMS. On May 24, he was one of two EMTs transporting a patient to a local hospital by ambulance. He was in the patient compartment; his partner Paul Franks was driving the vehicle.
White’s report states that while passing through the small town of Paden a state trooper approached the ambulance from behind at a high rate of speed, lights flashing but with no siren. Franks had been focused on the car in front of him. At White’s instruction Franks pulled onto the shoulder to allow the trooper to go by, but as the latter passed he heard over his radio on the emergency frequency that “you should consider checking your rearview mirrors.” Allegedly this was when Franks threw up his hands in a universal gesture of, “What did I do?” White recalled being stunned at the trooper’s lack of professionalism.
Three blocks later, White reports, a trooper made a wild left turn from a side street in front of them, cutting off a car driven by a family member of the woman they were transporting. A trooper approached the ambulance from the rear and gestured to pull over. At that point, White reports that he noticed a woman in the front seat of the police vehicle. Thinking she might need medical attention and that this explained the troopers’ erratic driving, he leaped out to assess the situation, as did the driver.
To his surprise, the trooper was enraged, having misinterpreted Franks’ gesture as “flipping him off.” White informed the trooper that they were transporting a woman to the hospital and asked if they might continue. He was told he was “under arrest for obstructing a police officer” and grabbed by the right arm. White asked the officer if he knew he was committing a felony by interfering with a paramedic in the line of duty.
This only enraged the trooper further. A minor struggle ensued, after which he was able to return to the patient compartment. Both the patient and a family member who had been riding in the passenger seat were praying. Other family members who had been following the ambulance in a caravan had stopped and were looking on with mounting alarm.
Moments later, a loud knock sounded on the side door. Here we have a video of the officer, whose badge number was 606, restraining White with a hand around his neck for 10 to 15 seconds. Afterwards, Officer 606 released White, told him he could continue with the transport, but also told him he would be arrested at the hospital.
While attempting to deal with the police, White was also dealing with distraught family members, telling them to “stay out of the situation.” Not once, he reports, did any police officer show the slightest interest in the patient or her condition.
At the hospital, White filled out the routine report releasing the patient to the hospital and then walked outside to submit himself for arrest. He was told he would not be arrested at this time but to be prepared to respond when a warrant was issued. He gave his contact information, but received “nonresponse responses” when asked who he should speak to in order to report the conduct of Officer 606, who he alleged had assaulted him and prevented him from maintaining patient care. “It is not our job to receive criminal complaints against another officer,” he was told.
It began with the officer who claimed to have been “flipped off.” White reported what Paul Franks had been told, that Officer 606 “had determined in his mind to escalate to pulling his service revolver and using deadly force…. I find it very disconcerting to know that a person of this temperament is allowed to patrol our streets while possessing the profound responsibility of having the use of deadly force at his disposal.”
Wednesday 25 February 2009
17-year-old Midland resident critically hurt in crash
Friday 30 January 2009
Cape Vincent Firefighter / EMT Shot And Killed By Patient
Firefighter-EMT Davis and three other emergency services personnel were at a residence treating an individual when the patient became agitated and retrieved a high powered rifle from a bedroom. As the emergency personnel were retreating from the residence, the patient allegedly fired two rounds, one striking and killing Firefighter-EMT Davis.
Incident Location: 114 South Esseltyne St., Cape Vincent, NY 13618
Map View: http://floridadisaster.org/gis/kml/viewer.htm?zoom=15&usng=18TUP93358703&disp=h
Incident Location: 114 South Esseltyne St., Cape Vincent, NY 13618
Map View: http://floridadisaster.org/gis/kml/viewer.htm?zoom=15&usng=18TUP93358703&disp=h
Sunday 05 October 2008
Fire Prevention Week
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For Kids
Safety in the kitchen
Remind grown-ups to stay in the kitchen when cooking. Keep things that can burn (potholders, towels, and paper) away from the stove.
Stay three feet away from the stove when a grown-up is cooking.
Electrical check-up
Help grown-ups check electrical cords to make sure they are not damaged.
Heating Reminders
Remind grown-ups to keep space heaters 3 feet from anything that can burn.
Grown-ups should always turn off space heaters every time they leave the room and before going to bed.
Remind grown-ups never to use an oven to heat your home.
Match and lighter safety
Tell a grown-up if you find matches or lighters
Grown-ups should keep matches and lighters in a locked cabinet.
Candle caution
Remind grown-ups to put out lit candles when they leave a room.
Stay 3 feet away from burning candles.
Safety smart grown-up reminders
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom and outside each sleeping area.
Test smoke alarms once a month.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Make a home fire escape plan with your family.
Find two ways out of every room and an outside meeting place.
Know the emergency number for your fire department.
Practice your escape plan twice a year.
When the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out!
For Adults
Cooking with Care
Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period time, turn off the stove.
Keep anything that can catch fire – potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags – away form your stovetop.
Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.
Always keep an oven mitt and lid handy. If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, put on the oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don’t remove the lid until it is completely cool.
Everyday Electrical Safety
Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn, such as lamp shades, bedding, curtains, and clothing.
Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords.
Use extension cords for temporary wiring only. Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician.
Homes with young children should have tamper-resistant electrical receptacles.
Call a qualified electrician or landlord if you have recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, discolored or warm wall outlets, flickering lights or a burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance.
Healthy Heating
Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away form heating equipment.
Turn portable space heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
An oven should not be used to heat a home.
Strike Out Smoking-materials Fires
If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes if they are available in your area.
If you smoke, smoke outside.
Wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used.
Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of children.
Candle with Caution
Keep candles at least 12 inches form anything that can burn.
Use sturdy, safe candleholders.
Never leave a burning candle unattended. Blow out candles when you leave a room.
Avoid using candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
Use flashlights for emergency lighting.
Safety 101
Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Make sure everyone can hear the sound of the smoke alarms.
Have a home fire escape plan. Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible, and a meeting place outside. Practice your escape plan twice a year.
When the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out.
If you are building or remodeling your home, consider a residential fire sprinkler system.
For Kids
Safety in the kitchen
Remind grown-ups to stay in the kitchen when cooking. Keep things that can burn (potholders, towels, and paper) away from the stove.
Stay three feet away from the stove when a grown-up is cooking.
Electrical check-up
Help grown-ups check electrical cords to make sure they are not damaged.
Heating Reminders
Remind grown-ups to keep space heaters 3 feet from anything that can burn.
Grown-ups should always turn off space heaters every time they leave the room and before going to bed.
Remind grown-ups never to use an oven to heat your home.
Match and lighter safety
Tell a grown-up if you find matches or lighters
Grown-ups should keep matches and lighters in a locked cabinet.
Candle caution
Remind grown-ups to put out lit candles when they leave a room.
Stay 3 feet away from burning candles.
Safety smart grown-up reminders
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom and outside each sleeping area.
Test smoke alarms once a month.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Make a home fire escape plan with your family.
Find two ways out of every room and an outside meeting place.
Know the emergency number for your fire department.
Practice your escape plan twice a year.
When the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out!
For Adults
Cooking with Care
Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period time, turn off the stove.
Keep anything that can catch fire – potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags – away form your stovetop.
Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.
Always keep an oven mitt and lid handy. If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, put on the oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don’t remove the lid until it is completely cool.
Everyday Electrical Safety
Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn, such as lamp shades, bedding, curtains, and clothing.
Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords.
Use extension cords for temporary wiring only. Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician.
Homes with young children should have tamper-resistant electrical receptacles.
Call a qualified electrician or landlord if you have recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, discolored or warm wall outlets, flickering lights or a burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance.
Healthy Heating
Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away form heating equipment.
Turn portable space heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
An oven should not be used to heat a home.
Strike Out Smoking-materials Fires
If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes if they are available in your area.
If you smoke, smoke outside.
Wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used.
Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of children.
Candle with Caution
Keep candles at least 12 inches form anything that can burn.
Use sturdy, safe candleholders.
Never leave a burning candle unattended. Blow out candles when you leave a room.
Avoid using candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
Use flashlights for emergency lighting.
Safety 101
Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Make sure everyone can hear the sound of the smoke alarms.
Have a home fire escape plan. Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible, and a meeting place outside. Practice your escape plan twice a year.
When the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out.
If you are building or remodeling your home, consider a residential fire sprinkler system.
