Monday morning, medics were responding to a call of a motor vehicle crash on Detroit's west side.
Sources tell 7 Action News, when the medic attempted to keep a patient from entering the roadway, he was punched in the face.
The assault is the latest incident involving attacks on medical first responders.
Last week, a guy put a loaded gun in the face of a medic because he was upset about where the ambulance was parked.
DEMS union president Joe Barney says more needs to be done to keep the medics safe.
"These are unarmed rescuers. We are not trained in self defense, we have zero weapons, they are not allowed," said Barney. "The department hasn't taken proper steps to ensure our medics have proper training. They leave us out there like sitting ducks."
Detroit's Chief of EMS released the following statement:
The safety of our EMTs is a high priority. EMTs have a very difficult job to do under difficult circumstances, often treating patients that may be agitated or combative. Department policy is that if there is indication of violence on a scene that the crew will "stage" and await DPD personnel to arrive and secure the scene. Within the last 3 months, all of the EMS vehicles have been equipped with Mobile Data Computers, which sends the comments available to the 911 call takers directly to the ambulance. This alerts the crew to scenarios that they may encounter once they get to the scene. Detroit EMS crews are also allowed to withdraw from hostile situations and request assistance from Detroit Police. The Department is actively working on this issue with both EMS unions.
Chief of EMS Sean Larkins
