Work without fear

On Emergency Services Day today (September 9) people across the country pay tribute to the heroic work of emergency workers, from firefighters to paramedics to police officers and many more in between.

But for all their tireless efforts in keeping the public safe, and in treating the ill and injured, they face a shocking level of physical and verbal abuse.  

Figures from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) show a record number of reported incidents of violence and abuse against ambulance staff totaling more than 17,000 over the last year. That means nearly 50 ambulance workers each and every day are abused in the line of duty.

The AACE noted this is an increase of 123 per cent in reported incidents since records began eight years ago.

As shocking as the figures are, Unite rep and senior paramedic Joanne Flood believes these figures are just the tip of the iceberg.

“Verbal abuse especially is just so commonplace that many staff don’t even report these incidents,” she explained. “Official figures are certainly conservative ones.”

Joanne said the increase in incidents chimes with her own experience, with all forms of abuse rising each and every year she’s been in the service.

Her most recent serious physical incident happened four years ago, when she was called to the scene of a person who was highly intoxicated and likely under the influence of drugs. The woman had claimed she was sexually assaulted, and because of the nature of the incident, a female police officer also attended. The officer rode with Joanne in the back of the ambulance, with the patient refusing to stay still, and her behaviour becoming more and more erratic and violent.

“You wouldn’t believe the names she called us. I told her she’ll need sit down while we travel to hospital but she wouldn’t stop lashing and kicking out. She then kicked me very hard on my right wrist – I had to go to hospital the day after.”

The attack had left the ligaments in Joanne’s hand and wrist severely damaged, and in the end, she couldn’t work for more than six weeks. While ambulance workers didn’t wear body cameras as standard practice then, the police officer accompanying Joanne in the ambulance did. Thanks to the video evidence, the attacker had to pay Joanne compensation, and she was also sentenced to community service.

As a senior paramedic, Joanne now wears a body camera – and she believes it can act as a deterrent.

“When I tell someone that they should be aware that I’m going to turn my camera on, you often see potentially violent or abusive people back down.”

Part of what may be fueling the rise in violence, Joanne believes, is a rise in the use of hard drugs.

“Drugs have been around for a long time, but the drugs you’re seeing these days have very extreme effects on people’s behaviour – they turn violent in an instant.”

Joanne said they’ve also seen a rise in homophobic and racist abuse, and that all too often, perpetrators get away with it because they exploit the excuse that they were drunk or had suffered a head injury.

 Violence and abuse is especially hard on the younger, less experienced members of staff who Joanne manages.

“When you’ve never been in that situation before, it can really shake your confidence and staff become so scared that they can’t go certain places or they’re afraid to treat patients.”

Joanne said she always tells members of her team to not put up with abuse.

“Some staff are afraid that if they don’t attend to patients that are abusing them, that they’ll be culpable. But I always tell them to walk away, and let the police deal with it. Abuse is not acceptable, ever.”

Unite is supporting a campaign by AACE called #WorkWithoutFear, which “highlights the profound impact of this abuse on the everyday lives of ambulance workers”.

 The campaign also “aims to encourage the minority of people who might commit these offences to have greater respect for the people who are trying to help them, their friends and families when they need it most”.

Joanne welcomed the campaign, adding that she felt a tougher approach needs to be taken against those who abuse or assault emergency workers.

“I was attacked the day after a new law came into effect that extended maximum prison sentences for people who assault emergency workers. But it’s been four years now and we haven’t seen much progress. Perpetrators are still getting off with a slap on the wrist and community service.”

Joanne highlighted how the justice system has rightly come down hard on those participating in the recent riots, adding that a similar approach is needed in dealing with people who abuse emergency workers in whatever situation.

Joanne also urged emergency workers to join Unite.

“We’re quickly growing membership in the ambulance service because people see the difference we make – not just in strikes, with our significant strike fund, but because they see we stick up for our members in every situation, no matter what. That’s how we’ll make big changes – together, in our union.”

You can find out more about Emergency Services Day here. Find out how you can take part in the #WorkWithoutFear campaign here.   

By Hajera Blagg