Ariz. Firefighters Assaulted by Patient

    Dec. 9, 2009
    EL MIRAGE, Ariz. -- Three firefighters were assaulted while responding to a late-night medical call on Dec. 5, according to The Arizona Republic. The crew found a teen -- reportedly suffering from an overdose -- running around. They were able to calm him down to check his vital signs and insert an intravenous needle, but officials told the newspaper that the patient become violent when firefighters tried to place him on a gurney.

    EL MIRAGE, Ariz. -- Three firefighters were assaulted while responding to a late-night medical call on Dec. 5, according to The Arizona Republic.

    The crew found a teen -- reportedly suffering from an overdose -- running around. They were able to calm him down to check his vital signs and insert an intravenous needle, but officials told the newspaper that the patient become violent when firefighters tried to place him on a gurney.

    The 16-year-old began punching, kicking and scratching the first responders.

    Police were called for assistance and were able to subdue the teen, who was on probation and wore an ankle bracelet monitor.

    The firefighters suffered only minor injuries.

    According to the report, a recent survey conducted for the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association show that 55 percent of responders in the state said they had been assaulted at least once while on the job.

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