New Law Protects EMS from Assaults

NEW YORK – A two-year battle for legislation that would help stop assaults on Emergency Medical Services Paramedics and Technicians (EMS/EMT) has ended in a victory for the dedicated first responders throughout the state of New York. Attacks on EMS and EMT workers have been on the rise since EMT Teresa Soler captured national attention when she was choked and punched in the face several times after she helped a man who was drunk and walking along the Brooklyn Bridge. The man was an assistant district attorney and managed to plea bargain his way out of jail time. Instead, he received only 10 days of community service. Thanks to the new legislation, the next time someone assaults a paramedic they will be charged with a felony and could face as much as seven years in prison. "Medics and EMTs go to help people, and sometimes they find themselves in harm's way because the law has been weak," said 20-year EMT Oren Barzilay, who is recording secretary of Uniformed EMTs and Paramedics Local 2507 of AFSCME's DC 37. "Now it sends a message to would-be perpetrators." New York State Sen. Martin Golden and Assemblyman Joseph Lentol sponsored the legislation with major backing...

Original: AFSCME Blog Feed