Ex-Paramedic Recalls Lane Bryant Shooting Scene
- On February 2, 2008, Kevin Collinge, a dedicated emergency medical technician (EMT), and his partner responded to what appeared to be a standard medical call.
- The call led them to a residence where they encountered a violent individual who ambushed them, resulting in a brutal attack.
- Collinge and his partner were subjected to a sustained and vicious assault, leaving them both seriously injured. The initial expectation of a routine medical response was shattered, replaced...
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The Unseen Toll: When Emergency Responders Become Victims
The initial Call: A Routine Request Turns Tragic
On February 2, 2008, Kevin Collinge, a dedicated emergency medical technician (EMT), and his partner responded to what appeared to be a standard medical call. They anticipated a single patient requiring stabilization – a common scenario in the demanding world of pre-hospital care. However, the situation rapidly devolved into a horrific ordeal that would leave lasting scars, not just on the victim, but on the rescuers themselves.
The call led them to a residence where they encountered a violent individual who ambushed them, resulting in a brutal attack. This incident highlights a growing, yet often overlooked, danger faced by emergency medical personnel: intentional violence against those who dedicate their lives to saving others.
the Attack and Its aftermath
Details of the attack itself are harrowing. Collinge and his partner were subjected to a sustained and vicious assault, leaving them both seriously injured. The initial expectation of a routine medical response was shattered, replaced by a desperate fight for their own survival.The physical injuries sustained were meaningful, but the psychological trauma proved to be equally debilitating.
The incident sparked a wider conversation about the safety of EMTs and paramedics.While the inherent risks of the job are understood – exposure to infectious diseases,traffic accidents,and the emotional toll of witnessing suffering – intentional violence represents a different,and increasingly prevalent,threat. It challenges the fundamental assumption that those providing aid will be treated with respect and allowed to perform their duties without fear of attack.
The Rising Tide of Violence Against EMS
The attack on Collinge and his partner wasn’t an isolated incident. Across the united States, and increasingly globally, emergency medical services personnel are facing a surge in assaults. Data from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) reveals a disturbing trend:
| Year | Reported Assaults on EMS Personnel |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 17,800 |
| 2014 | 18,300 |
| 2016 | 20,100 |
| 2018 | 22,300 |
| 2020 | 25,700 |
| 2022 | 28,900 |
These figures represent onyl *reported* incidents, suggesting the actual number of assaults is likely much higher. Many incidents go unreported due to fear of retribution, bureaucratic hurdles, or a sense of resignation that violence is simply “part of the job.”
Contributing factors to this increase include the opioid crisis (often leading to agitated and unpredictable patients), rising rates of mental health crises, and a general erosion of respect for authority figures.
The Psychological Impact: Beyond the Physical Wounds
While physical injuries are often visible and treatable,the psychological wounds inflicted by violence can be far more insidious and long-lasting. Emergency responders are at high risk for developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and burnout. The experience of being attacked while trying to help someone can fundamentally alter a person’s worldview and erode their trust in others.