The state Emergency Medical Services Authority says it has opened an investigation into sexual misconduct by a paramedic captain at the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.

A firefighter who used a forged state license to work as a paramedic for the Sacramento and Galt fire departments pleaded guilty Wednesday even as legislators studied a proposal to restrict independent medical authorities' ability to punish problem rescuers.

Saying patient safety is paramount, California's private ambulance operators are calling on legislators to adopt a statewide licensing system and mandatory background checks for all emergency medical technicians along with a new program to help substance-abusing EMTs and paramedics.

A Northern California rescuer suspected of using a counterfeit emergency medical technician card to hide a 2006 conviction for secretly videotaping a nude teenager is now under investigation by the Santa Clara District Attorney's Office.

The state Emergency Medical Services Authority revoked the license of a Sacramento air ambulance paramedic on Thursday after he admitted stealing powerful narcotics from his company's drug cabinet and medicines left over from patient treatments, and injecting them hourly while on duty.

California must bolster efforts to catch substance-abusing paramedics but also should consider creating a program that offers treatment and support before they commit crimes, state legislators said Monday.

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