The policy is at the moment limited to a single town, and therefore not well known to the public. The article describing this policy does not go into detail as to the public opinion, but only the opinions of first responders.
The policy and much current conversation stems from gun control laws, increasing violence against law/fire/ems in the media, and an increasingly large population of volatile persons. EMS do not always feel safe on scene, even when it appears otherwise.
This policy allows Bethel Township, Ohio, paramedics and firefighters to carry concealed firearms on the job under existing gun and concealed carry laws. The implementation of this policy allows for each paramedic to decide if they want to carry a firearm and includes special training for anyone who decides to carry their personal firearm while on duty. The article states that paramedics and firefighters had been the victim of several attacks in which the 911 caller faked a medical condition or reported a fire in order to attack or kidnap the responders. This policy aims to provide a sense of security to responders as well as a means of defending themselves should the situation arise.
This policy protects EMS and firefighters, a group not often considered a vulnerable population but often has to go into situations in which they are vulnerable to attack on very little information. The ability to defend themselves, although the policy specifically states that this is not an effort to stop sending police to medical and fire calls, can reduce the risk of responding to calls in areas that are known to be dangerous.
This policy is specific to the Bethel Township EMS and Fire Department, but other groups on the US have similar policies. Its a bit of a hot topic.
This policy addresses public health in that it can reduce the amount of time between a 911 call and the start of patient care if the EMS responders feel more comfortable entering a scene before police arrive.
The Bethel Township EMS and Fire Department drafted this policy. As it stands, its the decision of the individual agencies and departments to determine whether on duty personnel can carry firearms.
This policy was created in response to attacks against non-police first responders, the effort to enable the responders to carry firearms was in part motivated by a 911 call where the caller faked a medical emergency and then took the firefighters hostage when they arrived. He later stated that he had chosen a medical emergency because he knew they wouldn’t be armed. This, and other incidents, began to affect patient care as paramedics no longer felt safe entering buildings without police.
A policy from Bethel Township in Ohio allows EMS personnel on duty to carry firearms if they have a concealed carry permit through the state. The goal is protection in scenarios where the scene is not known to be unsecure prior to arrival by EMS.
If this policy gains support, it can spread to other agencies and allow for many people to be armed on medical scenes. This can negatively affect the image of EMS, as people are already upset with the police. All it takes is one bad incident, and suddenly all EMTs will be painted negatively. Its a slippery slope.