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Pittsburgh union says paramedics should remain part of rescues
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The Pittsburgh paramedic union said it isn't concerned about giving up rescue work to firefighters, just making sure rescues are handled appropriately.
"Rescues often involve delicate extrication efforts where paralysis or other severe medical complications can result if a person is not medically treated correctly," Tony Weinmann, union president said in a statement, today.
The union Friday voted down a contract proposal that would have shifted some rescue work from the paramedics to the fire bureau.
The city says the change is in the best interest of public safety, partly because it would improve response time and free up paramedics to put on additional ambulance crews.
The union says all paramedics currently involved in rescue operations should be part of a new plan to provide rescue services.
The union membership authorized a strike vote, but no strike date has been set.
First Published October 10, 2012 12:41 pm
