You’ll want to read this email sent by Greg Fischer’s head of LMEMS to all employees:
From: Richmond, Dr. Neal
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 3:46 PM
To: EMS-Everyone DL
Subject: Openly-carried firearmsEveryone,
Recently, I received e-mails from a few of you asking whether or not it is now permissible to openly carry firearms to work. I wanted to take this opportunity to respond to all of you directly.
In January, the General Assembly clarified the intent of a law that prohibits Metro Government from regulating openly-carried firearms, ammunition, parts of firearms, components of ammunition, or firearms accessories. Metro Government may, however, regulate concealed-carry firearms or other types of weapons.
I want to make it clear, however, that I do not encourage anyone to openly carry a firearm while on duty at LMEMS. I am gravely concerned about what could happen to you, your partner or others if, during the course of rendering care, a patient or bystander is able to take an openly-carried weapon off your person or from your vehicle and use it against you. This is not a far-fetched idea – in fact, in 2001, a report from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics showed that from 1976-1998, 12% of police who were murdered were killed with their own weapon.
This is a line of work in which we urge personnel not to wear piercings that could be ripped out by unruly patients, or to make sure longer hair is secured out of patients’ reach – a firearm is clearly a much more serious (and deadly) implement to introduce into what is often an already challenging situation. I only ask that you consider your safety and the safety of those around you.
Thanks, and please be careful out there.
N.R.
Isn’t it a little scary to think that Neal Richmond is allowing untrained employees to openly carry firearms in ambulances?
Nothing against the hardworking LMEMS folks, but, uh… stress much? LMEMS is a disaster with no leadership, overworked staff and ill-equipped trucks. Throwing guns into that mix is a disaster waiting to happen.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Laurie Spezzano // Feb 21, 2013 at 1:17 pm
I think the state says metro can’t make laws to regulate guns in Louisville metro. But I think as an employer they could have a policy that employees can’t carry while on duty. Depends on what the definition of “regulate” is.
2 Gil Albans // Feb 21, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Many will not remember this, but JCEMS started as part of the JCPD, and as such the medics , who were also officers, were armed. Later when the two branches separate JCEMS was still issued bullet resistant vest (body armor) and often trained with the members of JCPD on responses to critical incidents. Since merger these practices have ended. We ask the EMT/Medic to respond to critical incidents, when emotions are heightened. At the best of times an officer will respond to assist, however that isn’t always an option. I am not saying I want untrained personnel to be armed, but I can understand why they may want to be.
3 Cavemouse // Feb 21, 2013 at 1:42 pm
As a former LMEMS employee, I am concerned about this “double talk”. Richmond never gives a straight answer, and god help the first employee that has a problem if he/she is carrying.
I understand why some of my brethren feel the need for protection, lord knows I had my share of dangerous runs. I feel it would completely take EMS out of being considered neutral. In the past, the crews have been protected on scenes, even by the “bad guys”. Through the years, it has become less safe and the crews have to “stage” away from scenes until they are safe. Just this week, it was reported an LMEMS medic was assaulted by a patient. This is not unusual, except that is usually is not reported by the media and the charges usually get lowered or dropped, even though it is a Class D felony. having some folks armed and others not could be a prescription for disaster.
If they are going to allow open carry, there should be a training and holstering requirement at least.
4 jake // Feb 21, 2013 at 1:56 pm
I am ALL FOR allowing qualified, trained personnel having firearms. All for it.
But we all know LMEMS is in a sore spot at the moment. I’ve run several stories about EMS workers who are concerned about lack of training, no oversight, poor management, not having what they need to complete runs.
This only compounds my concern.
5 jtt // Feb 21, 2013 at 3:00 pm
I don’t know that he has the option at this point of telling them they can’t carry, given the statutes in question. I don’t know that the legislature intended to create this mess, but … it is the mess they created.
Leave a Comment