Over 86{fbcf2a5c42fe71624047a18c73673849799bd5d53cdb5d8ca16f4833367ca63d} of Communication staff report having been verbally assaulted more than once in the last two years and 63{fbcf2a5c42fe71624047a18c73673849799bd5d53cdb5d8ca16f4833367ca63d} of Field personnel report being assaulted more than once in the same time period. It is estimated these high numbers do not reflect the true magnitude of assaults on ATCEMS because assaults are usually under-reported with cases involving injuries are reported mostly.
Most EMS have training for these situations, however, additional training for potential for aggressive behavior, escape planning, threat avoidance, and de-escalation may be needed. Collaborating with law enforcement and members of the legal system could improve reporting and prosecution of persons who assault EMS personnel. Equipping EMS Commanders with better training and tools for responding to personnel who report assaults could improve agency responsiveness, follow-up, engagement, and support when assaults happen. Personnel who are assaulted seem to be divided as to whether the department’s support mechanisms are adequate and effort needs to be aimed at learning what kind of support is needed, when it should be delivered, and what personnel need and expect.
More than 69{fbcf2a5c42fe71624047a18c73673849799bd5d53cdb5d8ca16f4833367ca63d} of Field personnel agreed with a statement that said assaults are an unavoidable risk of an EMS career and 94{fbcf2a5c42fe71624047a18c73673849799bd5d53cdb5d8ca16f4833367ca63d} of Comm personnel said that verbal assaults while on duty in the communication center are an unavoidable risk. There needs to be further study about this cultural element, its drivers, and how it connects to industry ideals such as the “EMS Culture of Safety” and the EMS Agenda 2050 vision of being People Centered and its principle of becoming “Inherently Safe and Effective.” 2,3 Ultimately, assaults on a public servant should never be tolerated, even by those who believe the risk to be inherent in this industry.
An improvement team will be assembled to continue work to reduce assaults on ATCEMS personnel and to begin to address the findings of this survey report. The team will focus on better reporting, enriched training, and work with law enforcement to learn more about recognition of potentially dangerous situations, de-escalation techniques, and other important strategies. Ultimately the team’s aim will be to reduce the number of assaults on ATCEMS personnel.
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