Ottawa’s paramedic chief says first responders being assaulted will not be tolerated after three incidents last week that saw paramedics and a police officer assaulted while providing care. The Ottawa Paramedic Service and Ottawa Police Service released details on three incidents in a four-day period that saw first responders assaulted, including someone allegedly spitting in a paramedic’s face and a firearm produced while paramedics responded to a call. “We’ve been highlighting the fact over the last several years that abuse or assaults of paramedics is not an appropriate behaviour,” Paramedic Chief Pierre Poirier told CTV News Ottawa. “I think the idea here that somebody pointed a firearm at a paramedic and arguably threatened her life, it’s not something that can be tolerated.” Poirier said there have been 25 incidents this year where paramedics were assaulted, after over 100 incidents of paramedics assaulted last year. Police said on April 13, paramedics were assaulted while providing care to a patient in Barrhaven, “resulting in injuries and a request for immediate police assistance.” Charges were laid in connection with the incident, but police did not provide any details on the charges or identify the suspect. The next day, police said a woman assaulted a police officer and a paramedic at a home in Nepean, “including spitting in the paramedic’s face.” The woman was arrested and charged, according to police. On April 17, paramedics responding to a disturbance in Nepean “withdrew for safety after a firearm was produced,” police said. One person was arrested without incident and charges were laid. “Recent incidents underscore the dangers first responders face and the importance of working together to protect residents, patients, and responders,” police said in a media release, adding the incidents reflect the risks first responders face and the “close coordination” between the services. “These calls can involve assaults on paramedics while providing medical care, as well as situations where paramedics support officers by helping to de-escalate a confrontation until additional resources arrive.” Poirier said part of addressing the safety concerns is letting the public know that these incidents are occurring. “It’s very important that the community knows that this is happening, and, secondarily, that we can’t tolerate this. Paramedics do not expect to be assaulted,” Poirier said. “We’re here to help.” Poirier said the paramedics are “doing well” after the three incidents last week.
