Frontenac paramedic subject of abuse prompting statement from County

The County of Frontenac have issued an official statement after one of their paramedics was on the receiving end of a violent outburst on Wolfe Island.

“Violence against paramedics will not be tolerated,” the statement reads.

“Verbal and physical abuse against paramedics is unacceptable. Frontenac Paramedic Services has zero tolerance for violence against paramedics and they are supported in their decision not to enter a scene if they don’t feel safe.”

On Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, a paramedic with Frontenac Paramedic Services was threatened in public on Wolfe Island, resulting in an investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). In the past three months, paramedics have be subjected to verbal abuse on Wolfe Island on at least two other occasions.

Those examples are not isolated incidents, according to Frontenac Country. On Tuesday, Aug. 28, two paramedics were threatened at knife point while responding to a call. In that instance, the paramedics escaped and activated their emergency alarm. Kingston Police arrested the perpetrator. In October of last year, paramedics were spat on and shoved around by the friends of a patient they were trying to assist at a baseball field in Kingston.

“Management and paramedics at Frontenac Paramedic Services are working together to counteract this spike in violence. A meeting with an expert on workplace violence is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 19 for consultation and training on risk assessment in public venues,” the statement reads.