They hope this will deter attacks on EMS workers.
The Western Cape plans to equip its ambulance crews with body cams, starting with those most at risk and eventually covering all EMS crews. This is because of recent spikes in attacks on ambulance staff in certain areas of the province, leading to EMS workers not wanting to go into certain areas, fearing for their lives. The idea is that footage will be streamed to a control centre so that emergency support, such as the police, can be dispatched to the ambulance’s location in the event of an attack. It will also help to gather evidence against perpetrators to be used in court proceedings against them.
