A third of paramedics, police and firefighters have suffered violence at the hands of drunken louts while responding to alcohol-related 999 calls.
Shock new figures from a survey taken across the three services also show that 66% of emergency responders have suffered verbal abuse.
In one incident, a firefighter battled flames and smoke to save a man who had passed out while drunkenly cooking – only to be punched in the face when he checked to see if the man was alive.
In another case, paramedics on their way to a life-threatening incident were confronted by drunken buffoons charging in front of their ambulance then dancing in the street to block their path.
Staff handling 999 calls also reported their struggles to get key information about emergencies, describing having to battle to understand callers so drunk they were unable to give their location or even say what they though was happening.
Last night, politicians from across the political spectrum joined forces to condemn the behaviour and call for renewed efforts to tackle excessive drinking.
Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said: “I am aghast at the abuse suffered by emergency workers – the very people who regularly risk their lives to keep us safe.
“For one in three to have been subjected to physical abuse while attending an incident is an absolute disgrace.”
Alex Johnstone, Scottish Conservative MSP for the north-east, added: “It is absolutely shocking that our emergency services are subjected to this type of abuse and violence while they are simply trying to do their jobs and help people.”
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur said the figures “show the shocking impact of Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol”.
According to the survey, a third of blue-light workers reported they had been subjected to physical abuse while attending an alcohol-related incident within the previous four weeks, while two-thirds said they had experienced verbal abuse.
Roughly half of all incidents 999 workers attended in the previous four weeks were alcohol-related and almost two-thirds of emergency personnel faced difficulties in securing urgent information because of victims or callers being intoxicated.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: “The demands being placed on the emergency services by people who are drunk are huge.
“On many occasions, it delays police officers, firefighters and paramedics from getting to members of the public who really do need our protection and help.”
