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News Release
AMR Northwest Training EMTs/Paramedics in Defensive Tactics - 08/16/19

Violence against EMS Providers a Rising Concern

(Portland, OR)  With an increase in violent incidents in the Portland Metro area, and for the safety of employees, AMR has begun training their Paramedics and EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) in defensive tactics and the management of assaultive behavior.  Each year, EMS (Emergency Medical Services) personnel respond to over 30 million calls for assistance in the United States alone, and have injury rates higher than the national average for all workers. Locally, reports of aggressive behavior and threats of violence have been on the rise. 

In addition, Portland Police Bureau has nearly ceased handling behavioral health calls, leaving AMR, the primary medical responder, largely responsible. AMR is revisiting whether it is prudent to continue to be the primary behavioral health responder.

In May this year, AMR personnel from Clark, Clackamas, and Multnomah counties attended the first defensive tactics class. The training instructor, Marc Fox, President and Founder of Defensive Systems, Inc., in San Diego, California led the Train-the-Trainer class. Twelve EMTs and Paramedics received the training over a three-day period at AMR’s Clackamas County Operations. The newly graduated Defensive Tactics Instructors will train AMR’s team members in Oregon and SW Washington (~500 Paramedics and EMTs) with completion targeted for the end of this year.  The training is mandatory for most of AMR’s field personnel. 

“The need for basic defensive training is clear.  The foundation of defensive/evasive techniques is not to forcefully incapacitate patients but provide for a means of escape for EMS personnel if they should become engaged in a physical altercation,” states Tim Case, AMR EMS Training Officer for Multnomah County.

“We want our Paramedics and EMTs to be prepared to defuse, escape, and evade attacks,” states Randy Lauer, Regional Director of AMR in Oregon, “Our focus is on their safety and wellbeing.”

Media Invited to Attend AMR’s Upcoming Defensive Tactics Trainings

8/21       1200                    AMR Clackamas Operations – 12438 SE Capps Road, Clackamas, OR 97015

8/23       0900                    AMR Clackamas Operations – 12438 SE Capps Road, Clackamas, OR 97015   

8/29       1200                    AMR Clackamas Operations – 12438 SE Capps Road, Clackamas, OR 97015

 

 

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About American Medical Response

American Medical Response, Inc., America’s leading provider of medical transportation, provides services in 40 states and the District of Columbia. More than 28,000 AMR paramedics, EMTs, RNs and other professionals work together to transport more than 4.8 million patients nationwide each year in critical, emergency and non-emergency situations. AMR also provides fire services through Rural Metro Fire Department, www.ruralmetrofire.com, and managed transportation services through Access2Care, www.access2care.net. AMR is a subsidiary of Global Medical Response, www.GlobalMedicalResponse.com. For more information about AMR, visit www.amr.net and follow American Medical Response on Facebook @AMR_Social on Twitter and Instagram. Locally, AMR provides ambulance services in Multnomah, Clackamas and Clark/Cowlitz Counties. AMR and its predecessor companies have served Portland area communities since 1913.

 

 

 

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