All ambulance crews of Latvia’s State Emergency Medical Service (Neatliekamās medicīniskās palīdzības dienests, NMPD) have been equipped with body armour and helmets to improve staff protection during crisis situations, the service’s Head of External Communications, Miks Dūcis, announced following a meeting with trade union representatives.
The NMPD informed union representatives about the procurement of the specialised protective equipment during a meeting focused on improvements to working conditions, infrastructure, staff safety and the service’s preparedness for emergency situations. According to the service, the body armour and helmets were purchased in response to the current geopolitical situation and the need to protect medical personnel during potential crises.
The meeting also covered employee welfare issues, including the provision of health insurance, as well as the impact of newly introduced safety measures on the daily work of ambulance crews.
Trade union representatives were also briefed on the modernisation of the service’s technical resources and infrastructure. The NMPD has purchased 19 new emergency medical response vehicles, while new facilities for ambulance crews have been established at regional disaster management centres. Construction is also continuing on three new ambulance support centres.
Last year, the service continued expanding its ambulance network by opening additional deployment points in rapidly growing communities, including Jaunmārupe, Baloži and Ropaži.
The NMPD says that response times have continued to improve each year following changes to its operational organisation.
The work of ambulance crews has also been strengthened through the introduction of a new position—Emergency Medical Vehicle Driver and Medical Support Assistant. So far, 292 employees have completed the qualification programme, with another 70 staff members expected to do so by the end of the year.
The meeting also included discussions on introducing the paramedic profession in Latvia. The proposal is being considered to better adapt the emergency medical service to today’s security challenges, including the possibility of military threats and the increasing use of drones in armed conflicts.
The NMPD also highlighted recently adopted amendments to Latvia’s Criminal Law, which introduce tougher penalties for attacks on emergency medical personnel while performing their duties.
NMPD Director Liene Cipule stressed that the service’s development and ability to adapt to modern challenges would not be possible without reliable social partners.
The NMPD has collective labour agreements with the Latvian Health and Social Care Workers’ Trade Union, the Latvian Public Services and Transport Workers’ Trade Union “LAKRS”, the Latvian Railway and Transport Sector Trade Union, and the Latvian Interior Employees’ Trade Union.
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