VIDEO/PHOTOS: In Washington, D.C., we tracked two violent attacks on paramedics in just a matter of weeks. It’s part of a disturbing national trend we first reported on earlier this month that puts our lifesavers in real danger. Now, we’re investigating efforts by states and the federal government to put a stop to the violence. Paramedics and EMTs are increasingly having to save themselves while saving others.
It is a painful reality for Trevor Good, who’s living his childhood dream as a firefighter-paramedic in Washington, D.C. “You sign up to this job to help people,” Good said. “You don’t sign up to be a punching bag, and you certainly don’t sign up to possibly get shot at.” Just weeks after an ambulance camera captured a violent attack on a DC paramedic, and a few miles away, a bystander threatened Good and his team as they carried a patient down steep stairs. He said the man appeared to be intoxicated.
“[He] just charged us for no reason, essentially got to the patient, started assaulting her and trying to rip off the straps that were securing her,” Good said. “He tried to swing at us, we told him we were going to call the cops, he came back up and tried to swing at us again.” Good and his crew were sitting ducks until police arrived and struggled with the man, leaving one officer injured. In that scuffle, a handgun popped out of the man’s waistband, revealing just how dangerous the situation could have been.
