AMBULANCE Victoria is urging people to the right thing this festive season after 26 incidents of assault or attempted assault were reported by Loddon- Mallee paramedics between July and November.
The organisation said the festive period was one of the busiest and toughest times for paramedics, who need to work in safe environments that are free from aggression or abuse.
Ambulance Victoria said last financial year 47 cases on occupational violence against paramedics occurred in the region.
It said the trend had worsened this year and data showed there were 26 incidents within the first five months.
Loddon Mallee regional director Matt McCrohan said the trend was extremely concerning.
“Across the state we’ve seen horrific behaviour recently, including two separate incidents where our paramedics were punched by a patient they were treating, and another incident where two paramedics were struck with a metal bar without warning by a patient’s relative,” he said.
“We have zero tolerance for these disgusting and illegal acts, and we do not accept occupational violence as ‘part of the job’.”
Mr McCrohan warned that paramedics would leave a scene if they felt unsafe.
“Our people’s safety comes first, and they will always be supported not to enter a scene or to retreat if they believe they are at risk,” he said.
“We recognise emergency situations can be stressful, but becoming angry or aggressive will not help you or the patient paramedics are trying to help.”
Ambulance Victoria said paramedics were trained in a variety of strategies to assess, manage and, if needed, de-escalate violent or aggressive scenes.
Injuring an emergency worker in Victoria is a category 1 offence and carries a mandatory minimum six-month jail sentence.
