Springfield, OH, Firefighter/Medic Stabbed by Patient on Mental Health Call
A firefighter/paramedic from Springfield Fire Division was stabbed Wednesday by a patient they were called to transport.
Fire crews were called to a clinic to transport a person for a court-ordered mental health evaluation, WLWT.com reports.
"While our crews were there, engaging with the patient, the patient got excessively aggressive, pulled out, a weapon and ended up stabbing one of our members," Springfield Fire Chief Jacob King told WDTN. "Crews were trying to get away from the area once they saw the knife, calling for help from the police department."
Springfield firefighters were able to treat the firefighter and rush them to the hospital for evaluation.
The injured firefighter/paramedic was treated at the hospital and later released to go home to recover.
King used the incident to highlight the dangers that firefighters/paramedics and others in the health care chain face on a daily basis.
"This just goes to show that it doesn't matter how much you train, or get equipment to help protect them, that these unique and random events do still occur," said King.
About the Author
Peter Matthews
Editor-in-Chief
Peter Matthews is the editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood Landing, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department and currently is a photographer for the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department.