Newsgroups: misc.emerg-services
Date:         Wed, 18 Nov 1992 23:17:00 GMT
From:         Daniel Burstein <0001964967@MCIMAIL.COM>
Subject:      NYC-EMS suicides (per CBS news)

(cross-posted)
Date:     Tue Nov 17, 1992  9:52 am  GMT
From:     Daniel Burstein / MCI ID: 196-4967

TO:       mike gilbertson
          EMS: INTERNET / MCI ID: 376-5414
          MBX: meg04@albnydh2.bitnet
Subject:  CBS news on EMS suicide rate
Message-Id: 15921117095251/0001964967NA1EM

@LOGO = DIIR-
@IRREG = Danny's irrational and irreverant ragsheet
@VOLUME = Volume EG-    Tues Nov 17, 1992
@ITAL 11 = The CBS television network followed up on the EMS death
reate story which had run in the <169>American Medical News<170> of
11/16/1992, which itself was a continuation of a piece by Gale Scott
in Newsday.
@ITAL 11 = Attached, through the usual sources, is a transcript of
the broadcast on <169>CBS, Up to the Minute<170>, at approx 03:00,
Tues 11/17/1992
@ITAL 12 =
Anchor Russ Mitchell:
 Just imagine what it must be like
to have to deal with scens of crime and violence every working day
of your life.  (this is what happens) if you're an emergency medical
technician or a paramedic.  As CBS correspondent Gisdeele Thomas tells
us, for some the stresses and strains turn out to be unbearable.

Reporter Gizelle Fernandez:
 In New York City, a rash of suicides
and unexpected deaths among paramedics is raising fears that rescue
workers driven to the brink are burning out.
@ITAL 12 =
Local 2507 VP Frank Jerez:
 You struggle to survive.  I
fyou're not strong enough, it will overwhelm and consume you, and
unfortunately, you lose youjob before anyone helps you.
@ITAL 12 =
 Ed Luigo (NYC-EMS):
 You don't sleep good, (between)
dealing with your own problems and dealing with patient problems,
it's very difficult..

Gizelle Fernandez
: This year in New York at least three paramedics
have committed suicide, which is much higher than the suicide rate
in the normal population.  No one can say if the severe stress of
saving lives is killing them.  But every day, seeing grisly deaths,
living with the constant fear of AIDS, the threat of attack at crime
scenes,.. is clearly taking its toll.
@ITAL 12 =
Laverene Smith (private company worker)
: (inaudible)
babies, babies drowned in tub, I just deal with it.  I mean, it's
just aprt of life and someone has to do the job.

Gizelle Fernandez
: It's not just New York.. Vermont's volunteer
rescue force sees a 25% turnover a year.  Across the nation, cities
have <169>stress debriefing teams<170> to counsel paramedics.  They've
proven particularly critical after major events like the US Air crwsh
that killed 27 people at LaGuardia Airport in March.
@ITAL 12 =
Paul Sklar (NYC-EMS)
: I was one of the many who were
on the US Air crash.  And when you have a situation where a lot of
people die in one instance, that gets to be a little overwhelming
and (inaudible) like wow, there's absolutely nothing I can do.

Gizelle Fernandez
: Four of the six paramedics died four months after
the crash.  Experts say there may be a link.
@ITAL 12 =
Dr. Peter Marzuk, NY Hospital:
 A lot of these stresses
are unpredictable.  It's not clear when... sometimes it's really quiet
on the job, sometimes really all hell breaks loose.

Gizelle Fernandez
: EMS experts say that the need is great for more
psychological counseling.  A study is already underway to better understand
why those who save lives, take their own.  Gizelle Fernandez, CBS
News, New York.