Ambulance Workers To Wear PSNI Riot Gear

Ambulance workers in Northern Ireland are to wear PSNI riot gear while attending disturbances.

The move was taken following a review of riot situations in Northern Ireland.

John McPoland from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said: "We need to continually review our operational procedures and this is just one step to try and protect our staff as best as we possibly can," he said. "The uniform that our guys wear normally out on the road, it had a protective hat and a reflective coat.

"But in a riot situation and with the number of petrol bombs that have been thrown about the place, we felt that we could offer them better protection, by providing them with police riot gear and paramedics quite clearly displayed on it."

The Ulster Unionist Party's South Belfast MLA Michael McGimpsey said he was "shocked" that staff will be kitted out in the gear.

Mr McGimpsey said: "The news that Northern Ireland's paramedics are to wear full PSNI riot gear when called to disturbances is a sad indictment of where we are as a society.

"The Ambulance Service has for decades served all sections of this society, often at great personal risk and in the most horrendous of conditions.

"As Health Minister I promoted a policy of zero tolerance of violence against staff. If we have really reached the point where ambulance staff have to be kitted out in full riot gear then we as a society need to take stock and realise that this is not acceptable."

(CD/JP)