TWO south-west towns have been named in Ambulance Victoria documents identifying where paramedics could face threatening behaviour.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The lists, released under Freedom of Information, identity a home in Terang and a home in Hamilton.
The homes relate to patients or individuals who have or may have behavioural issues and may be a threat to paramedics.
The issues facing paramedics range from aggressive dogs at the premises, weapons on the premises, an unsafe house, verbal threats of aggression and assaults on paramedics.
The data comes after reports of paramedics being assaulted on the job and the state government announced new reforms to ensure people who assaulted paramedics and other first responders would be treated as category one offences.
Ambulance Employees Association secretary Steve McGhie said paramedics knew the locations of aggressive and violent people.
He said if paramedics were called to these people, police were informed and responded as well.
Mr McGhie welcomed the state government’s announcement and said it sent a clear message.
“Don’t assault paramedics or emergency service workers,” he said.
“Let paramedics to their job.
“Don’t interfere while we’re trying to save someone’s life. It’s pretty simple.”
Last week a Warrnambool paramedic said he had been physically assaulted twice in recent years.
Jock O’Connor said he had noticed more aggression towards paramedics in the community.
“In the last few years it’s gotten worse,” he said.