NSW Ambulance has announced its paramedics will trial body-worn cameras in Sydney as part of a wider campaign aimed at educating the public that aggression towards paramedics is “Never OK”.
NSW Ambulance Commissioner, Dominic Morgan said there had been more than 400 reported incidents of occupational violence against paramedics in 2019.
“Many of those incidents include kicking, pushing and spitting at paramedics,” Commissioner Morgan said.
“There is no higher priority for me than the welfare, health and wellbeing of all staff at NSW Ambulance,” he said.
“With this in mind, I am pleased to announce a new and potentially important adjunct to address occupational violence against paramedics: the Body Worn Camera Concept Trial.”
Commissioner Morgan said the program was being trialled over the next 12 months in three locations: Sydney Ambulance Centre in Eveleigh, Liverpool Superstation and Hamilton Station.
He said volunteer paramedics at those locations would receive body cameras to attach to their uniforms when on duty.
The cameras can be activated if there is a risk of danger or if occupational violence became a threat.
“It’s important that we can show to the courts the level of violence that paramedics get exposed to,” Commissioner Morgan said.
Further information about the trial including privacy information for patients can be accessed at this PS News link.
