Comandos de Salvamento was born out of necessity to help those in need in a country which can become polarized at times during conflict. A Comandos EMS crew came to the assistance of the public last week during a street protest. Mob mentality can take over at times and the Comandos need to stay calm under these extremely tense situations in order to offer pre hospital care to those in need. Patients can include riot police, protesters, or civilians caught in between. As shown in this photo sequence by Mauro Arias Panamá, sometimes Comandos can get stuck in the middle while navigating through edgy situations. We please ask all to respect all Salvadoran EMS instutional workers that offer care during street protests. We are there to help you.If there are foreign entities that may know how to get us some bullet or “tetunte” proof glass windshields, please contact the main base in San Salvador.

Foto Credito: Mauro Arias Panamá

Comandos de Salvamento Community support EMS crews mediated and attended to injuries during a street protest against the Municipal Mayors office of San Salvador. The Unidad Mantenimiento de Orden (Riot police) were present.  The disturbances resulted in various injuries and others whose airways were affected by tear gas. Many were attended to in the emergency walk in clinic of the main base and others were transported to other hospitals throughout the city. One EMT resulted injured.

Veteran EMT Orsi, and another volunteer help a patient from an ambulance who was exposed to pepper gas thrown by riot police during the street protest in front of the Mayors office in San Salvador.  It is reported they were protesting against recent relocation orders around hospital zones while the Mayor’s government continues to uphold their city cleanup mandate in various parts of the city.

Mauricio Castro, a photojournalist of El Diario de Hoy is attended to at the main base walk in clinic by Comando Dr. Orellana. Mauricio suffered an injury in front of the Mayor’s office during the protests. Street sellers have concentrated themselves in front of the building along the Ave. Alameda Juan Pablo II. Comandos have had many brigades attending to emergencies throughout the zone

El Faro has a more thorough photo documentation here.