Violence against our paramedics and call takers is unacceptable

July 17, 2024 | in News

Ambulance Victoria (AV) is urging Victorians to treat our paramedics and call takers with respect when they see them at an emergency incident or in the community.

Ambulance Victoria employees and clinicians work hard to provide the best possible assistance and care to our communities, and yet they continue to be exposed to occupational violence and abuse.

There have been 105 reported incidents resulting in injury from July 2023 to March 2024.

Recent incidents include:

• A paramedic was grabbed and punched in the face by a patient they were treating.
• A paramedic suffered a dislocation after a patient became aggressive.
• Paramedics harassed and followed by a man outside of a Melbourne hospital, who was threatening to assault them.

Additionally, our people are often exposed to situations involving verbal assault, swearing and name calling. This escalating behaviour can result in paramedics pausing their treatment or withdrawing from the scene or terminating a call.

AV Executive Director Regional Operations Danielle North said violence against paramedics is never OK and we do not accept this behaviour as part of the job.

“We know emergency situations can be stressful for people, but this is no excuse to behave aggressively towards paramedics,” she said.

“We are aware of several serious occupational violence incidents recently across the state and it is timely that we remind the community again that violence against paramedics, first responders and call takers is never OK.

“Our top priority is the safety of our paramedics and first responders, and they have our full support to leave an incident if they ever feel unsafe.

“Assaulting or berating a paramedic will not help them do their job any quicker.”

For paramedics to provide quick and effective treatment for you or your loved one, they need a safe environment to work in.

Paramedics are fully supported by AV in reporting their experience with police.

Injuring an emergency worker in Victoria is a Category 1 offence and carries a mandatory minimum six-month jail sentence.

Mildura Paramedic Brodie Thomas has been physically assaulted and spat on while working and is calling on the community to stamp out this behaviour.

“If you ever need us, please know that we are doing our very best to help you,” he said.

“We know the majority of our patients and community members do not behave this way, but it only takes one incident to cause serious physical or mental harm.

“More and more often, paramedics are carrying a heightened cognitive load when they arrive at incidents; having to constantly make dynamic risk assessments knowing there’s a chance they could be harmed.”

Paramedics are trained in a variety of strategies to assess, manage and de-escalate violent or aggressive scenes, but ideally paramedics shouldn’t need to use these skills.

AV is committed to exploring ways to reduce and prevent occupational violence and our people are encouraged to report every instance of this behaviour.

Learn more on the impact of occupational violence on paramedics and how you can help.

How you can help create a safe environment for paramedics:

• Be respectful towards everyone involved in an incident or over the phone.
• Put your safety first – if there is violence or aggression present at a scene, stay well back and don’t do anything to escalate the situation.
• Advise the Triple Zero (000) call taker if anyone is demonstrating aggressive or violent behaviour on scene. They can arrange for police to attend.
• Follow paramedics’ instructions. If it is safe to do so, ask agitated family or friends to clear the area.
• Offer assistance by letting paramedics know that you are available to help.

If you find yourself getting frustrated:

• We know emergency situations are often stressful for friends and family of the patient, however becoming angry or aggressive will only delay the care you or your loved one needs.
• These situations can be difficult, but it is never OK to take out your frustrations on our paramedics. They are simply trying to help.

Statistics

• There have been 105 reported incidents resulting in injury from July 2023 to March 2024.

Additionally, our people are often exposed to situations involving verbal assault, swearing and name calling. This escalating behaviour can result in paramedics pausing their treatment or withdrawing from the scene.

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