Paramedics raise awareness about on-the-job violence as injured coworker testifies

Paramedics filled a Calgary courtroom Tuesday to show support for one of their own who was the victim of an alleged assault on the job — something they say happens every day.

John Goumas is on trial for assault causing bodily harm.

Goumas is accused of becoming aggressive when he woke up after being unconscious. Paramedic Olivia Chan suffered a torn rotator cuff when she fell trying to get away from Goumas, who had lunged at her.

But Chan and others who showed up to support her want to call attention to the violence they say they face on a daily basis.

"People want to hurt us," said Chan. "I'm not protected with a gun."

Richard Agnew, an advanced care paramedic with more than 30 years on the job, says he wants to see the Criminal Code amended to make attacking a paramedic a more serious offence, as it is for attacking police officers, "so people are held accountable when we are assaulted."

'I felt completely unsafe'

Chan told prosecutor Trevor Fik that she and her partner arrived at Goumas's home in January after his wife called 911 to report her husband was having trouble breathing. 

By the time emergency responders arrived, Goumas was unconscious on the floor. 

Chan testified that after determining his breathing and pulse were normal, she tried to wake him up by using pain stimulus techniques like pinching his finger tips. Goumas still didn't come to.

As medics and firefighters began to roll Goumas onto a tarp for transport to hospital, he woke up.

Chan said Goumas began trying to punch firefighters and then scanned the room, zeroed in on her and lunged with one hand out to grab her.

"I felt like my life was being threatened at that point, and I felt completely unsafe," she said. 

Chan fell backward as she tried to back away and tripped over a medical bag on the floor, injuring her shoulder. 

Goumas testified in his own defence, telling his lawyer, Jordan Gruman, that he was confused when he awoke and couldn't see without his glasses on.

Provincial court Judge Greg Stirling will make his decision next month.