Outreach worker Amy Santiago had not seen her homeless client, Tracy, in more than a week. Not since a woman in the encampment where Tracy was living died of a drug overdose. “When you have emergency medical personnel and the police come into your encampment,’’ Santiago said, “it’s a frightening experience.” Santiago and her co-workers […]
EMS
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Former Rhode Island firefighter who served on the state EMS advisory board faces felony firearms charge
Albert F. Peterson III, a retired North Providence fire captain who previously served on the board that helps oversee the state’s emergency medical services system, is facing a felony firearms charge after his arrest last week at a Providence strip club. On Feb. 23 shortly before 11:30 p.m. police responded to a report of an […]
Posted inArticle, Health
R.I. physicians alarmed by legislation to shift control over emergency medical services
Rhode Island physicians groups are sounding alarms about legislation moving through the General Assembly that they say would strip the authority of the state health director over emergency medical services. The legislation (H-6282 and S-860) would prevent the health director from enacting EMS regulations, protocols and licensing requirements without the approval of a 25-member board […]
Posted inEpisode
Commentary: Firefighters Need Better EMS Training
Rhode Island firefighters are fighting back against a report from The Public’s Radio and ProPublica on misplaced breathing tubes that have cost lives. The Public’s Radio political analyst Scott MacKay says it’s time for fire officials to face reality and work for better training for emergency medical responders.
Posted inArticle, Health
Going Quiet: More States Are Hiding 911 Recordings From Families, Lawyers and the General Public
Troy Phillips has tried everything to piece together his brother’s final moments and figure out if he received CPR. Rhode Island’s secretive 911 laws have gotten in the way.