Canadian Medic Ordered to Pay $6K in Discipline for Antisemitic Social Media Posts
Winnipeg paramedic Saru Chahal was reprimanded by the College of Paramedics of Manitoba and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus $5,000 in costs for antisemitic social‑media posts made after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The posts portrayed Hamas fighters positively, claimed inherent Israeli hatred, and displayed a Star of David over a swastika, prompting two complaints. The disciplinary panel classified the behavior as professional misconduct and conduct unbecoming a paramedic, noting Chahal’s prior training requirement after a 2021 complaint. The decision highlights the balance between free expression and professional standards for emergency responders.
Iowa County Settles Lawsuit with Former Ambulance Director
Jefferson County, Iowa, settled its breach‑of‑contract lawsuit with former ambulance director Brian Thomas by having him pay a symbolic $1 and drop his $75,000 counterclaim. In return, the county dismissed its suit and Thomas acknowledged his resignation was voluntary and...
Ind. County Officials Extend Ambulance Contract Through 2030
Clark County commissioners approved an amendment extending their EMS contract with Heartland Ambulance Service through the end of 2030. The deal freezes the current service rate, sidestepping the 3% annual increase originally slated. It also adds two basic life support...
New Orleans EMS Misses Response Time Benchmarks as Understaffing Worsens Delays
New Orleans EMS missed national response‑time benchmarks in 71% of incidents, with average arrivals at 17 minutes 45 seconds—almost double the nine‑minute standard. Chronic understaffing, operating at only 60% of budgeted personnel and fielding 17 ambulances instead of the 26 needed,...
Photo of the Week: Boston EMS Graduation
Boston EMS graduated 26 new EMTs and promoted eight staff members during a ceremony at Faneuil Hall. The new EMTs completed a six‑month academy and responded to more than 3,000 9‑1‑1 calls. Promotions included two lieutenants and six paramedics, reflecting...
Ala. Expands EMS Treat-in-Place Reimbursement, Rural Healthcare Under New Laws
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a suite of health‑care bills, most notably SB 269, which allows ambulance operators to be reimbursed for basic life‑support services delivered on‑scene without patient transport. The legislation also includes measures to restrict sugary‑drink purchases with SNAP...
At Least 19 Injured in 70-Vehicle Pileup on Colo. Interstate
A massive pileup involving roughly 70 vehicles snarled eastbound Interstate 70 near Clear Creek County, Colorado, prompting a closure of the highway about 50 miles west of Denver. State officials evaluated 19 occupants, eight of whom were taken to hospitals, including...
Mass. Fire Apparatus Receives EMS Equipment Upgrades
The Chicopee Fire Department in Massachusetts upgraded all its apparatus with advanced EMS equipment after earning Emergency First Response certification. Six fire engines, two aerial trucks and two reserve units can now deploy CPAP machines, albuterol, epinephrine, glucose and other...
College Professor Named Colo. EMS Instructor of the Year
Kristie Skala, a veteran paramedic and longtime Aims Community College professor, was honored as the Northeast Colorado Regional EMS Instructor of the Year. Skala helped launch Aims' first paramedic program in 2007 and now teaches in a 53,000‑sq‑ft simulation facility...
Ill. Village Considers Tax to Sustain Struggling Ambulance Service
Oakwood, Illinois is weighing a special 0.15% tax to keep its ambulance department operational after volunteer numbers dwindled. The proposed levy would generate roughly $290,000 a year, enough to sustain paid staff and avoid severe service cuts. Director Zach Weddle...
Md. County EMS Tensions Rise Amid Fears of Another System Takeover
Somerset County took over Princess Anne Volunteer Fire Company’s ambulance service after the volunteer unit cited rising costs, dwindling membership and low reimbursement rates. The takeover has highlighted a funding imbalance, with the northern squad receiving significantly more county dollars...
Free Narcan Vending Machines Launch in Mich. County to Address Overdose Rates
Muskegon County, Michigan, has installed five free Narcan vending machines at Trinity Health facilities and the county public health department to combat its high opioid overdose rate. The machines, funded by the county, dispense unlimited naloxone kits during normal operating...
Pa. 'Blue Envelope' Program Helps First Responders Aid Drivers with Autism
Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, launched the Blue Envelope program with Luzerne County police, expanding a model already active in Monroe, Lehigh and Northampton counties. The initiative gives drivers on the autism spectrum a blue envelope that...
Mobile Sim Lab Helps Neb. First Responders with EMS Training
Omaha Fire Department and Creighton University are using a mobile simulation lab to train firefighters to become paramedics. The UNMC‑donated lab has trained about 670 personnel in its first year, delivering 20‑30 minute hands‑on sessions instead of multi‑hour classroom courses....
Axon Tackles Public Safety's Data Overload with Three New AI Tools
Axon announced three AI‑driven tools at Axon Week 2026 to tackle the growing flood of video, image and telemetry data that accompanies more than 240 million U.S. 911 calls each year. The new Axon Vision platform scans live CCTV feeds for...