BRISBANE, Australia — After paramedic Brad Johnson was viciously attacked in the back of an ambulance, Queensland Ambulance Service decided to share the photos of his facial injuries on Facebook to share awareness and push for stiffer punishments for those who attack EMS providers.
The ambulance company received an overwhelming response from the community, and Queensland, an Australian state, Health Minister Cameron Dick suggested arming paramedics with Tasers.
The Queensland ambulance union, United Voice Queensland, rejected the suggestion, the Brisbane Times reported.
“Our members take their professions to heart and that is to protect and make sure they save lives,” union secretary Gary Bullock said. “They don’t want weapons. That’s not their role.”
Bullock suggested other options, such us providing cameras in ambulances and sharing more information about potentially dangerous patients with police.
Union members also complained about the decision to grant bail to a suspect in the attack. Bullock said if the victim were a police officer that probably wouldn’t have happened.
Members will rally next month asking government to take action to better protect paramedics.