IT’S a sad day when paramedics’ safety is threatened during a call-out.
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During a medical call-out on Saturday afternoon, that is exactly what one Bathurst’s paramedic faced.
Two paramedics were in attendance at a Kelso home when the patient they were treating for a minor condition allegedly began making verbal threats.
Ambulance Service of NSW Inspector Rhys Dive alleges the threats were made not only to the paramedic, but also his family.
“He was verbally threatened and threats were made to his family,” he said.
“He was left shaken and upset.”
The paramedic of 20 years’ experience was left so shaken by the threats that he took out an apprehended violence order (AVO) against the accused in Bathurst Local Court yesterday.
Inspector Dive added that the man accused of making the threats on Saturday also physically assaulted the same paramedic a month ago.
“He physically assaulted the same paramedic and then the following day came to the ambulance station looking for him,” Inspector Dive said.
Inspector Dive said the man accused is known for making regular “non-emergency” calls to have paramedics attend his home.
He said anti-social activities, alcohol and illicit drugs, especially ice, are the biggest causal factors behind paramedics receiving threats.
“Unfortunately it’s getting to the point where we have to stand off and wait for police,” he said.
The address of Saturday night’s incident has now been “flagged” with Bathurst paramedics as a location they will not attend unless accompanied by police.
Unfortunately verbal and physical threats are “not unusual” in the lives of the state’s paramedics, according to Inspector Dive.
“NSW ambulance has a zero tolerance in relation to paramedics being assaulted, either verbally, physically or intimidation,” he said.