CLEVELAND — The union representing Cleveland EMS dispatchers and medics is speaking out after paramedics were attacked while treating a patient on Nov. 14.
In a social media post, the Cleveland Association of Rescue Employees Local 1975 shared video of the incident showing a paramedic in a physical struggle as someone tried to drag her down by her clothing and hair.
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The Cleveland Division of EMS confirmed to WKYC that two EMS members were assaulted during the incident, adding that both are “currently doing well.”
“Unfortunately, the reality is that first responders are being assaulted on a regular basis, all for simply doing their jobs and for trying to make a positive difference in the community,” the union said. “The medic in this video was left with a physical deformity. CARE vehemently condemns this senseless act of violence and is calling on law enforcement to hold the perpetrator accountable.”
Police said officers were called to assist EMS with a combative woman who had assaulted a medic. EMS had originally responded to a report of a woman overdosing in the street, but she became aggressive while crews tried to place her on a cot. The woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation and then arrested on a felonious assault charge.
“The safety and well-being of our paramedics and EMT’s are non-negotiable,” Cleveland EMS Commissioner Orlando Wheeler said. “We will not tolerate any form of verbal or physical assault against those who dedicate their lives to providing critical, life-saving care to our community. Anyone who threatens, harms or obstructs these professionals in the line of duty will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Have you ever had to come to the aid of your partner during an assault? Share your story below.
EMS1 readers respond
“I sincerely hope that both providers are OK and that this person is convicted as she should be. This goes to speak to a huge reason so many people are choosing to get out of EMS.”
“While making laws to protect EMS with stiffer penalties is a move in the right direction, we (EMS personnel) have witnessed that the assailant does not have ‘capacity’ to be prosecuted in the courtroom, so therefore is released to their own care without any penalties and back into the cycle for the next EMS crew to come upon in crisis. If the penalties are tougher, it makes the public feel better ... but the end results would be interesting. How many are prosecuted to the fullest extent? How many assaults are plead out or dropped completely? What is the end result?”
“I’ve always had my partner’s back and most of my partners have had mine. I had one partner, though, who instigated an assault from an uninvolved third party.”
