Two on-the-job assaults of NYC EMTs in recent days

By Ginger Adams Otis   |  NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Two city EMTs suffered serious injuries Wednesday when an angry man assaulted them as they responded to an emergency medical call in Brooklyn.

In video captured by a witness, two FDNY medical responders can be seen tending to someone sprawled on a sidewalk on Albany Ave. near Rutland Road in Prospect-Lefferts Garden, while another crew tries to calm an emotional man and other people who are standing just off the curb between parked cars.

As voices escalate, the man lashes out at the nearest EMT — sending the man crashing backwards and falling to the ground, with the back of his head just narrowly missing the lip of the curb, according to video reviewed by the Daily News.

As the man then tries to flee, the other EMTs tackle him and bring him to the ground.

The violent clash lasted only a few seconds, and it ended with one EMT knocked unconscious, another with fractured ribs and still others with minor injuries.

The incident came just a few days after two EMTs responding to a call in Far Rockaway, Queens, found themselves confronting an irate man with a knife — who slashed at them so viciously they had to call for back up while holding him to the ground.

Cops confirmed that they had to send an emergency unit to Redfern Ave., where the EMTs were struggling to keep the knife-wielder under control.

The brawl in Brooklyn on Wednesday was started by an irate member of the patient’s family, according to the FDNY.

The man tried to enter the FDNY ambulance but was told to exit by an EMS lieutenant, FDNY spokesman Frank Dwyer said.

The lieutenant climbed out after him and was struck in the face by the angry man and another family member, Dwyer said.

Three EMS members were injured — including one who suffered a bite to his hand. All were treated at area hospitals in stable condition.

Oren Barzilay, head of Local 2507, the union that represents EMS workers, said his members face such challenges every day.

“We call on all our city officials for more funds to EMS for extensive defensive training, conflict resolution training, protective equipment and any additional resources to keep our workers safe,” said Barzilay. “No one should go to work with the fear in mind that today might be the day they get hurt — or worse.”