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Calif. lawmaker sponsors bill to track violence against EMS providers

A recent survey found that more than one in two EMS providers have been assaulted by a patient

By EMS1 Staff

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — A proposed bill would put a tracking system in place for assaults on EMS providers.

NBC San Diego reported that California assemblyman and 30-year EMT Freddie Rodriguez is sponsoring Assembly Bill 263. The legislation would require private EMS providers to log every physical attack on their crews, and that data would be sent to the state.

“We can look back at the end of the year to see what type of incidents are occurring, where our first responders are being injured, and how to better address that through training, education or safety gear,” Rodriguez said.

The most recent survey from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians said that more than one in two EMS providers have reported assaults by a patient.

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