An attack on two Emergency Medical Service workers Wed-nesday night in Mo'ili'ili is prompting a call for a law similar to one that makes it a felony to attack police officers.

"What we would like to see is all public safety employees, not only just the police department, but anybody who serves the public in the EMS capacity at whatever level be covered under a law," Patricia Dukes, EMS chief, said yesterday.

Dukes and dozens of other EMS workers gathered yesterday outside of St. Francis Medical Center-West and called on legislators to act. The two injured EMS workers did not attend.

On Wednesday night, the two paramedics, a man and a woman both in their 20s, were loading a patient into an ambulance in front of Weinberg Hale in Mo'ili'ili when a man began banging on the back door of the ambulance, according to Dukes.

Apparently the man wanted treatment and became angry when one of the EMS workers told him they already had a patient. The man then allegedly took a swing at the workers, Dukes said.

In the scuffle that followed, both paramedics suffered minor injuries and were treated at The Queen's Medical Center. The alleged attacker, 32, was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor assault and taken to the hospital for evaluation, police said.

While it is rare that paramedics get attacked and injured, Dukes said, Wednesday's incident shows the need for protection.

Rep. Marilyn Lee, D-38th (Mililani, Mililani Mauka), said there have been misgivings about such bills.

"When you're dealing with sick people, their actions might be something they can't prevent," she said.

Lee, a registered nurse, said she understands the concerns of the EMS workers. "It's probably something that should come up for discussion again," she said.

Dukes said she wants to push for such legislation again next session.

"We've been trying this for two years and it's withered on the vine," she said.