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EMSCloseCalls.com.....   News and related Updates (Also check the most current issue of THE SECRET LIST for related News and Updates-Click Here) Detroit EMTs released from hospital after vicious attack  Thursday, October 22, 2015   DETROIT - Speaking to Local 4 Wednesday, Detroit EMT Alfredo Rojas was in surprisingly good spirits for having just survived a vicious attack while on the job. Rojas, 25, and fellow EMT Kelly Adams, 49, suffered stab wounds to their faces and hands when they were attacked by a man while on Third Street treating a woman for an injured ankle. Interim Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said when the EMTs asked the man to step back and calm down, he attacked Rojas with a knife or some other sharp object. “He pulled the knife out and slashed my partner and I stepped in to try to help her out," Rojas said. “I felt him hit my face and I thought it was just a punch. I didn’t know he actually slashed me. I think the adrenaline kicked in. It wasn’t until the whole thing was done that I realized my hand was cut and I was really bleeding bad from my face." Rojas nearly lost his right eye in the attack. Rojas and Adams were released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon. Aside from some numbness in his hands, Rojas said he's feeling good and is thankful for the outpouring of support that's been shown by the community. “We feel the love from everybody," he said. Rojas said he's not sure he'll be back on the job, but he will. The man who attacked the EMTs has been identified by police as Michael Montgomery. He and the women the EMTs were tending to are both in custody in connection with the attack, but they have not yet been charged. Montgomery is already facing charges in two other cases, including the murder of a 16-year-old. Families of injured EMTs speak outChristie Adams, Kelly Adams’ sister, said Adams puts her life on the line every day for others. "Kelly is an amazing woman," she said. "She’s always trying to help others." Family members said the ordeal has been like a nightmare and they're still in disbelief that someone would attack two people who were only trying to help someone in distress. "I feel so bad because he (does) his job with all his heart," said Rojas’ mother. She said Adams recognized the suspect when the EMTs got to the scene because he had allegedly given them trouble in the past. She said Adams told Rojas to be careful around the man. Doctors said there's a chance that there will be some permanent scarring, but both EMTs are expected to make a full recovery. Fire commissioner: EMTs came 'within inches of dying'Interim Executive Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said the EMTs drove themselves to the hospital after the attack and came "within inches of dying" from their injuries. "(They drove) to save their lives," Jones said. "They decided that they needed to get to the hospital right away. The medics drove themselves, and I'm glad they did. I'm glad they're here." Jones described their injuries as "some very, very deep lacerations." "It was a horrific scene," Jones said. "The EMS rig, the scene inside of the rig is horrific, their injuries are horrific. They're upset, they're concerned about the safety of how they do their job and their colleagues." Jones said he's determined to give officials the training and equipment they need to protect themselves in the field. He said he will speak with Police Chief James Craig about de-escalation and defensive tactics training. Attack raises concern over EMS safetyThe attack on Rojas and Adams has raised concern about the safety of EMS technicians working in Detroit. The demands for safety training are intensifying. "We’ve dropped the ball for some time at Detroit EMS," said Joe Barney, Detroit EMS union president. Barney said he and EMS workers have been asking for safety training for some time, including self-defense, de-escalation and more. He said the fire and EMS departments weren’t interested. "They worried more about lawsuits from citizens than technicians getting injured," he said. "And last night was probably the most brutal, savage attack I’ve ever seen on EMS technicians." It was just his second day on the job, but Jones said that he will meet with DPD to ask for training. "I understand the situation that the men and women of the Detroit Fire Department and Detroit EMS Department are experiencing right now," Jones said. "I’m working aggressively to get them the training and the equipment they need." Many agree that safety training would not have prevented the attack. But Barney and Mayor Mike Duggan agree that the injuries might not have been as serious. "We need to give our EMTs every possible tool for their protection," Duggan said. "Commissioner Jones is working on that right now." "They’re going to need some prayers." Barney said, fighting back tears. "There’s going to be a lengthy recovery. And in some cases, they might not be normal again."       Tweet   Ambulance with patient inside rolls over on northbound I-5 in Portland  Thursday, October 22, 2015   PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -Traffic was backed up on northbound I-5 in Portland Wednesday morning after an ambulance rolled on its side near the Morrison Bridge. The crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. as the ambulance was transporting a patient. Portland firefighters said an AMR ambulance and a van were involved in the crash. A female patient from the van was taken to the hospital for treatment, as were the patient in the ambulance and one of the paramedics. Firefighters said all the injuries were minor. The right-most northbound lane of I-5 was closed due to the crash, as were the ramps from the Morrison Bridge. In a statement, AMR said weather may have been a factor in the crash. Dense fog covered much of the Portland metro area Wednesday morning, with visibility less than a quarter of a mile in some areas. The fog was expected to lift later in the day. AMR added that safety is a top priority for the company. "AMR takes our commitment to safety of our patients and paramedics very seriously.  Our top priority is their well-being," the company said.       Tweet   Ambulance Carrying Patient Crashes into Two Cars in Chester County - Pennsylvania  Thursday, October 22, 2015   By Sara Smith An ambulance carrying a patient to the Chester County Hospital crashed into two vehicles Tuesday evening. Police said the crash happened around 6:30 at the intersection of State Route 322 and Phoenixville Pike in West Chester. The ambulance was transporting a patient who had suffered a stroke. Police said the ambulance was traveling south on Phoenixville Pike with emergency lights and sirens on when it struck two vehicles. The patient from inside the ambulance was taken to Chester county Hospital for treatment. Two other people were injured in the crash and taken to Paoli Hospital for treatment of non life-threatening injuries.       Tweet   Ambulance with patient inside crashes on I-5 - Oregon  Thursday, October 22, 2015   PORTLAND, Ore. -- A crash at about 5:30 Wednesday morning at Interstate 5 near Interstate 84 shut down two lanes and the Morrison Bridge ramp to I-5 north. Weather may have been a factor in the collision, according to a prepared statement by AMR ambulance. Thick fog blanketed the Portland-metro area for much of the morning, making it difficult for some drivers to see the road and signs in front of them. Two paramedics and a patient were in the ambulance.  Three people were taken to Legacy Emanuel hospital for evaluation after additional AMR ambulances responded to the wreck., the company said. The wrecked ambulance was finally being towed at 7 a.m. According to the statement from AMR: "AMR takes our commitment to safety of our patients and paramedics very seriously.  Our top priority is their well-being.  We will continue to provide updates on this incident as they become available."         Tweet   Medic injured in crash involving EMS vehicle in Northeast Austin  Thursday, October 22, 2015   Emergency crews have responded to a crash involving an EMS vehicle in Northeast Austin, according to Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services. The crash happened about 8:10 p.m. at the intersection of East Parmer Lane and Dessau Road, officials said. The EMS vehicle was being driven by a commander. She was en route to a call when the crash occurred, EMS said. The commander, a 25-year veteran with EMS, was one of two people injured. The injuries are not life-threatening, EMS said, and the two patients have been taken to Round Rock Medical Center.         Tweet   2 arrested in attack of Detroit first responders  Thursday, October 22, 2015   Holly Fournier and Candice Williams, The Detroit News Detroit — Police took a man into custody Tuesday evening in the assault of two emergency medical technicians, who came under attack by a man wielding a razor-sharp object as they helped a woman. The man was arrested in the area of Whitcomb and Fenkell, police said. The woman, who initially was treated and fled with the man after the attack, also was arrested. Their relationship was unclear. “Members of the Detroit Police Violent Crimes Task Force worked diligently throughout the day to identify, locate and apprehend the suspect responsible for the violent attack,” police said in a statement Tuesday. “The message is clear that we will not tolerate such violence in our city.” The suspect is being held on a homicide warrant from an inactive 2006 case and a sexual assault warrant, police said. As of Tuesday evening, EMT workers Kelly Adams, 49, and Alfredo Rojas, 25, remained in serious condition, said Detroit police Sgt. Cassandra Lewis. Adams is being hailed for saving the life of a Rojas after the pair came under attack. Mayor Mike Duggan, shortly after leaving Detroit Receiving Hospital where the two EMT workers are being treated, credited Adams’ actions for “saving the life” of her partner, Rojas. “They were just trying to protect us,” he said. “This action, it touches all of us. They are in our prayers.” Adams is a caring person with a love for dogs and rescuing strays, said acquaintance Danielle Bozich Haberstroh. In February, she reached out to friends on Facebook to collect bassinets and sleepers for the Coalition On Temporary Shelter, which she personally delivered, Haberstroh said. “I think those both show what a huge heart she has and her compassion,” she said. “I was not surprised to hear she stepped up to help her partner because that is definitely something I think she would do.” Rojas and Adams were responding to call of a woman with a minor ankle injury outside the Neighborhood Services Organization homeless shelter south of Midtown. As they were treating the woman, a man who was with her became agitated about the medical assessment by the rescue workers, Interim Executive Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said. “The EMTs told him to step back, calm down,” he said. The man produced a sharp unknown weapon and stabbed and slashed Rojas several times in the hands and face, Jones said. When Adams came to Rojas’ aid the man “turned and stabbed and slashed her several times,” Jones said. After the attack, the EMTs rushed themselves to Detroit Receiving Hospital with “very serious injuries,” Jones said. The two suffered deep lacerations, leaving behind a “horrific” scene inside their ambulance, he said. Jones declined to speculate on a motive for the attack. “I can’t get inside his head. I don’t know what he was agitated about but he was upset for some reason,” he said. Rojas and Adams are able to communicate, but they likely will be scarred, Jones said. “They came within inches of dying,” Jones said. “Both of them are going to require some extensive surgeries and a very long recovery.” Dr. Padraic Sweeny of Detroit Receiving said he expects the two to recover. Jones said he is “determined” to provide city emergency responders with further training — such as de-escalation and defensive tactics practices — to address potentially dangerous situations on the job. EMT union leader Joe Barney said Adams and Rojas need prayers. “There’s probably going to be a lengthy recovery. In some cases, they may not be normal again,” said Barney, fighting back tears. Despite potential dangers, officials are not afraid to work in the city, Jones said. “I wouldn’t say that (first responders) are nervous, but they’re concerned,” he said. “It’s dangerous. They go into some dangerous situations.” Adams has been on the force for 13 years while Rojas joined about two years ago after serving five years with a suburban district. A GoFundMe page set up for Adams and Rojas had raised $375 as of late Tuesday evening.       Tweet   2 EMS workers stabbed in Detroit near Cass Corridor  Tuesday, October 20, 2015   Two city of Detroit emergency medical service workers were slashed and stabbed in the face and hands early this morning in the Cass Corridor while on a call to help a woman. Attacked by an "agitated" man armed with a sharp object, the female and male EMTs were within "inches of dying" after driving themselves to Detroit Receiving Hospital, said interim Executive Fire Commissioner Eric Jones. He described the scene inside their ambulance as "horrific." He said the two hadn't initially called for police support when responding to the call, at about 12:30 a.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Third Street. They were there to help a woman with a reported ankle injury. They arrived to find the woman and the assailant at the curb, not far from the Neighborhood Service Organization that helps homeless people. Jones said it's unclear what agitated the man to attack the paramedics. "They told him to step back and calm down," Jones said. "At that time, the male subject engaged the male EMT, stabbed and slashed him several times. He is going to require surgery." Jones said this morning at a news conference at Detroit Police headquarters that he was unable to confirm whether anyone had been arrested. The female EMT  has been with the department for 13 years, and the male EMT  has been there for two, he said. Both will have permanent scarring from the attack. Jones said both are "very brave" for working in dangerous conditions. "They're very hard-working, very motivated," he said. "They love the city, and Jones said he'll be meeting with Detroit Police Chief James Craig today to discuss training for de-escalation and possibly defensive tactics.       Tweet   Ambulance, Two Vehicles Crash In Farmington - Connecticut  Tuesday, October 20, 2015   By Nicholas Rondinone FARMINGTON — An accident involving an ambulance and two other vehicles has closed Route 4 near the West Hartford line Monday afternoon, police said. It was not immediately known if a patient was in the ambulance at the time of the accident. All the injuries reported were minor, police said. As of about 5 p.m., the two lanes of Route 4 near the Sunoco gas station were closed. Crews were working to remove the vehicles.       Tweet   Beach Park man in critical condition after being struck by ambulance - Illinois  Monday, October 19, 2015   By Steve Zalusky A Beach Park man is in critical condition after he was struck by a Zion Fire Department ambulance early Sunday morning, authorities said. According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Andre Perez, 20, of the 38000 block of Northshore Avenue, "suddenly ran into the path" of the ambulance at about 1:30 a.m. in the area of Sheridan and Beach roads in Beach Park. The sheriff's office said the ambulance was heading back to its station from Vista East Hospital in Waukegan and did not have its emergency lights on or its siren going when the crash occurred. Paramedics on board the ambulance immediately began lifesaving efforts after the crash, sheriff's police said. Perez was taken to Advocate Condell Hospital in Libertyville, where he remained in critical condition. No charges have been filed, as authorities await toxicology results. The Lake County Sheriff's Technical Crash Investigation Unit is conducting the investigation.       Tweet   Norcross man on roller blades steals ambulance from accident scene, cops say - Georgia  Friday, October 16, 2015   By Joshua Sharpe  joshua.sharpe@gwinnettdailypost.com “It’s not something that happens all the time,” said Capt. Tommy Rutledge in perhaps the greatest understatement uttered Wednesday in Gwinnett County. #The fire department spokesman was referring to a harrowing ordeal from a few days earlier, when, police say, a 25-year-old man stole an ambulance from EMTs who were working the scene of a serious car accident outside Norcross. #Emergency workers responded to the intersection of Singleton and Williams roads at 7:47 p.m. An SUV was flipped with a person trapped inside. Four others were hurt, according to police. #Enter Brandon Demarcus Moore, a nearby neighbor. #On roller blades. #At about 8 p.m., a Gwinnett police officer investigating the accident looked up and spotted Med Unit 23 creeping in reverse away down Singleton Road, according to a report released Wednesday. #Confused, the officer took after it, spotting a man, later identified as Moore, behind the wheel “driving it backwards a low rate of speed.” Other officers joined in pursuit and used their cruisers to force the ambulance off the road after it slipped down a hill, posing a threat to traffic. #An officer had to bust the driver’s-side window to get Moore out, according to the report; he said later he refused to exit because he was part of a “recon unit” at the fire department. #He fought with the police, trying to kick them with his roller blades, the report says. Officers pinned him to the ground and removed the skates. #Soon, after he allegedly tried to break the windows of the patrol car, Moore arrived at the county jail, where he remained without bond Wednesday. Records show it’s his third arrested in Gwinnett this year; the first two involved charges of battery, criminal attempt to commit a crime and violation of probation. #It remained unclear Wednesday why the suspect would take the ambulance, or why he was on the scene in the first place. But records show he lives just a short walk — or skate — away, on Seattle Slew Lane. more ]       Tweet   Ambulance involved in 4-vehicle crash - Nebraska  Friday, October 16, 2015   By DaVonté McKenith LINCOLN, Neb. —One person was injured in a late night crash Tuesday in Lincoln. Police say around 11:30 p.m., a black sedan ran a red light at 17th and K streets, hitting two other vehicles and an ambulance in the intersection. The driver of the sedan was traveling at a high rate of speed, police say, and was injured in the crash. The three people in the vehicles involved refused medical attention. The driver of the sedan though was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police say alcohol is a possible factor.       Tweet   Citations pending in late-night Lincoln wreck involving ambulance - Nebraska  Friday, October 16, 2015   Citations are pending in an accident that caused damage to four vehicles late Tuesday. The wreck happened just before 11 p.m. when a Chevy Prizm driven by Seth Granfield, 23, ran the northbound red light at the intersection of 17th and K streets, according to a Lincoln police crash report. Two vehicles traveling eastbound on K Street crashed into Granfield’s car on the driver's side, the report says. An ambulance also traveling eastbound on K Street swerved to miss the collision and received damage from debris, Officer Katie Flood said. Pause Current Time0:00 / Duration Time0:00 Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% 0:00 Fullscreen 00:00 Unmute All three occupants of the ambulance received minor injuries. It’s unknown if the occupants were all paramedics or if a patient was in the ambulance, Flood said. Granfield was taken to the hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries. The other two drivers weren’t injured.         Tweet   SMITHTOWN PRISONER FACING NEW CHARGES AFTER HOSPITAL ESCAPE, AMBULANCE JOYRIDE - NEW YORK  Monday, October 12, 2015   SMITHTOWN, N.Y. (WABC) -- A female prisoner who escaped police custody at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown and took a private ambulance on a joyride is now facing new charges in connection with the incident. Police are still trying to figure out how Melina Silsbe, who was awaiting treatment, managed to escape and jump into the running private ambulance in the ER parking lot Thursday evening. Authorities contacted the ambulance company, which had a GPS tracker on the vehicle. Silsbe, 24, was located about a mile from the hospital on the Sunken Meadow Parkway, just before the Northern State Parkway off ramp. She lost control of ambulance and crashed into a car, injuring herself and the driver of the other vehicle. Both suffered non-life threatening injuries and were taken to an area hospital. Silsbe had been arrested on October 7 for numerous misdemeanor warrants and a felony warrant and was brought to the Fourth Precinct. A short time later, she was transported to St. Catherine of Siena for an undisclosed medical condition which required a police officer to be assigned to guard her. In addition to the charges from her arrest on October 7, Silsbe is also charged with second-degree escape, grand larceny, criminal mischief, reckless driving, reckless endangerment and unlawful fleeing from a police officer.         Tweet   Philly Medic Unit Struck by Bullet  Thursday, October 8, 2015   A Philadelphia Fire Department medic unit was hit by a bullet Yesterday (Wednesday). Medic-36 was driving when they heard a “pop”. Thinking they had just ran over bottle they continued driving not realizing the truck has just hit by gun fire. The Medic and EMT were both in the front seat of the truck. It was not until shift changed that they on coming crew noticed the bullet hole in the passenger side “A-Post” had narrowly missed the crew. A bullet was found in the air conditioner unit of the rig after closer inspection. There is no word on if the ambulance was the target or just hit by a stray bullet. The crew member were not injured. Medic-36 housed with Engine-34 in the Fairmount section of the city, however the crews doesn’t recall where the shooting happened. Tactical gear is provided to medics for active shooters situation, as seen below, but they are not issued bullet proof vest to wear as a part of their daily uniform.       Tweet   EMSA Ambulance Involved In Crash - Oklahoma  Thursday, October 8, 2015   BY SAUNDRA ADAMS Tulsa police are investigating after an EMSA Ambulance was hit by another car. It happened in the intersection of 21st and S. Yale around 4:00 Wednesday afternoon. Investigators say the ambulance was westbound on 21st Street with its lights and siren on when traffic came to a stop. There was also a police car following it. A car that was southbound on Yale went around a truck and struck the back of the ambulance. No one was injured. There was a patient in the back of the ambulance that was transferred to another unit and continued to a hospital. Police are still investigating.       Tweet     Prev1234Next        1        2        3        4        5        6        7        8        9        10        11        12        13        14        15        16        17        18        19        20        21        22        23        24        25        26        27        28        29        30        31        32        33        34        35        36        37        38        39        40        41        42        43        44        45        46        47        48        49        50        51        52        53        54        55        56        57        58        59        60        61        62        63        64        65        66        67        68        69        70        71        72        73        74        75        76        77        78        79        80        81        82        83        84        85        86        87        88        89        90        91        92        93        94        95        96        97        98        99        100        101        102        103        104        105        106        107        108        109        110        111        112        113        114        115        116        117        118        119        120        121        122        123        124        125        126        127        128        129        130        131        132        133        134        135        136        137        138        139        140        141        142        143        144        145        146        147        148        149        150        151        152        153        154        155        156        157        158        159        160        161        162        163        164        165        166        167        168        169        170        171        172        173        174        175        176        177        178        179        180        181        182        183        184        185        186        187        188        189        190        191        192        193        194        195        196        197        198        199        200        201        202        203        204        205        206        207        208        209        210        211        212        213        214        215        216        217        218        219        220        221        222        223        224        225        226        227        228        229        230        231        232        233        234        235        236        237        238        239        240        241        242        243        244        245        246        247        248        249        250        251        252        253        254        255        256        257        258        259        260        261        262        263        264        265        266        267        268        269        270        271        272        273        274        275        276        277        278        279        280        281        282        283        284        285        286        287        288        289        290        291        292        293        294        295        296        297        298        299        300        301        302        303        304        305        306        307        308        309        310        311        312        313        314        315        316        317        318        319        320        321        322        323        324        325        326        327        328        329        330        331        332        333        334        335        336        337        338        339        340        341        342        343        344        345        346        347       Page 1 of 347 [ Total items: 5195 ]    Search for news stories : Select Year      Select Year     2015     2014     2013     2012     2011     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006     2005     2004     2003     2002     2001     2000     1997     1972     1940     1938  Select Month      Select Month     Jan     Feb     Mar     Apr     May     Jun     Jul     Aug     Sep     Oct     Nov     Dec  Select Category      Select Category     News Firefighter Close Calls     Pass It On     The Secret List     News Ems Close Calls     Close Calls - 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