Today prescription drug abuse and other substances are rendering police breathalyzer testing ineffective in the war of drunk driving.  Police must take time away from their communities to transport suspects to local hospitals for DUI blood draws.  In many cases this takes a minimum of 2 officers away from their patrol duties for a couple of hours.  Each transfer of a suspect greatly increases risk to the officers, the public, and the suspect.

Local Paramedics in Bensalem have successfully performed blood draws for one year.  There have been no EMS calls missed and nearly double the number of drivers under the influence have been taken off of the streets making our community safer.

After much research and negotiation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bureau of EMS, our program was ceased in October because paramedics are not protected under the current EMS laws in Pennsylvania.  The PA Bureau of EMS knows this practice is done throughout the commonwealth but refuses to make the necessary changes to protect paramedics.  Citing the "current EMS legislation is about patient care not public safety."

September 29, 2005

Police Officer Brian Gregg was shot and killed after a prisoner was able to gain possession of his partner's service weapon at St. Mary's Medical Center.

Officer Gregg and his partner were guarding a suspect who had been arrested earlier in the evening for drunk driving and had been taken to the hospital to undergo blood and urine tests. While in the emergency room, the prisoner began to struggle with Officer Gregg and a second officer. He gained control of the second officer's service weapon and opened fire, striking Officer Gregg in the chest. The prisoner also shot the second officer in the chest, and wounded a hospital technician. The prisoner then walked up to Officer Gregg who was on the ground, and shot him in the head, killing him.

 Governor Wolf, Director Gibbons Change the scope of practice in Pennsylvania to allow paramedics to work with law enforcement and make our streets safe.  We see first hand and up close the aftermath of DUI drivers.  It destroys families, and leaves emotional scars on first responders.  We can easily get this done.

Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/17884-police-officer-brian-steven-gregg#ixzz3rHFYnVdw