Las Vegas Paramedic/Firefighter Matthew Driscoll knew he had transported human trafficking victims in an ambulance.
So when an injury forced him into light duty, he had an idea about how to spend that time: he started working on a training program to help first responders, hospital employees, counselors and social workers recognize signs they were encountering trafficking victims.
“From the field to the emergency room, that’s where we’re losing those patients,” Driscoll said.
What began as a small effort has grown — Las Vegas and North Las Vegas fire department employees have been through the training, and some Henderson firefighters have gone through it. Driscoll has worked with the organization iEmphathize, which aims to eradicate sex trafficking.