INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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Medical and emergency services news from around the world.

FIREMAN SAM DROPPED AS UK MASCOT

Fireman Sam has been dropped as a fire service mascot, following claims he is not inclusive enough. Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said it made the decision after receiving negative feedback about the mascot based on the popular children’s TV show. Lincolnshire CFO Les Britzman said the mascot was outdated and did not help sell the fire safety message. London Fire Brigade supported the decision, saying the use of the term “Fireman” instead of “Firefighter” ingrains especially in the young that it is a male only role. Earlier this year, the fire service criticised both Fireman Sam and Peppa Pig of being sexist for using the term “Fireman”. Lincolnshire’s Fire Service will now use their other mascots, fire extinguisher-shaped Freddy, Filbert and Penelope, for promotional material.

SWEDEN INVESTS IN AIR AMBULANCES

The Swedish air ambulance service Svensk Luftambulans has ordered three new helicopters, with delivery expected this year or in early 2021. The operator will also have its three existing models retrofitted to the same standard as the new aircraft, and will significantly increase take-off weight capabilities as well as provide state of the art communications both on the ground and in-flight. The investment was necessary as the counties of Norrbotten and Vasterbotten have joined Varmland, Dalarna, Vastra Gotaland and Uppsala in the number of territories and increased population covered by the service.

✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ AUSTRALIAN PARAMEDIC BODY CAMERAS

Paramedics in New South Wales have begun wearing body cameras as part of a 12-month trial aimed at deterring abuse and assaults. Paramedics from the Sydney Ambulance Centre at Eveleigh, and the towns of Liverpool and Hamilton, will participate in the voluntary trial involving 60 cameras. NSW Ambulance chief executive Dominic Morgan said more cameras could be rolled out across the state of the program is successful. "The cameras will be another set of eyes for our paramedics and in addition to hopefully deterring abuse, there is scope to use them for training purposes further down the line," Dr Morgan said in a statement in January. Australian Health Minister Brad Hazzard hopes agitated individuals will modify their behaviour when they realise they're being recorded. "Paramedics are there to help us and it is never okay to abuse them. Assaults carry heavy penalties and, if needed, bodycam footage will be used as evidence when prosecuting people," Mr Hazzard said.

US LEGISLATION FOR EQUIPMENT SAFETY

Two US Senators have introduced new bipartisan legislation that would take important steps towards addressing health concerns regarding firefighters’ occupational exposure to harmful chemicals through their personal protective equipment. The Guaranteeing Equipment Safety for Firefighters Act, introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Cory Gardner, would authorise a comprehensive study of the PPE worn by firefighters to determine the identity and concentration of harmful PFAS chemicals, and the risk of exposure to them. The legislation would also establish a federal grant programme to advance the development of safe alternatives to these PFAS chemicals in personal protective equipment. “Firefighters have enough to worry about when they’re on duty – the last thing they should be concerned with is the safety of their own protective gear,” said Senator Shaheen. “We know PFAS is in certain types of firefighting foam, which means our firefighters are already more likely to face exposure. With research indicating these harmful chemicals have also been found in firefighters’ personal protective equipment, it’s imperative that Congress take action to keep our first responders safe.”