Concerned By Attack On EMS Workers, Offer Of Free Defense Training Made

DETROIT (WWJ) - One expert is prepared to offer free self-defense training to Emergency Workers, following Tuesday's attack on two paramedics.

Commander Dale Brown with Detroit Threat Management Center, a private service organization that specializes in non-violent training, says when he heard about the attack on the two EMS workers he wanted to do something proactive reports WWJ's Stephanie Davis.

Offering a free self-defense course to all EMT workers. He says the center's training focuses on the use of psychology, law and skill.

"The other thing we are able to do by teaching the thing we call READ, an acronym for Recognize, Evasive, Aggressive, Deceptive behavior - we put the EMTs ahead of the violent criminal - so they are not actually waiting for physical action - they are going to be in a position to psychologically de-escalate the adversarial position - avoid any adversarial conditions and be in a bio-mechanical position to create a non-violent outcome," says Brown.

The paramedics, identified as Alfredo Rojas and Kelly Adams, had been called to the area to treat a woman with an ankle injury when a man who was with the woman became "agitated" and attacked.

Officials say the two paramedics are hospitalized in serious condition after they were attacked and stabbed repeatedly early Tuesday morning on Detroit's west side.

He says reading body language is key to understanding and get ahead of violent criminal intention.

The center also offers free training on Fridays to families.