Watch story from NY 1 for comments from mayor and union rep
The latest from the New York Post
Previous coverage from STATter911.com
Note: The story below does not have the information from union representative, Jeff Samerson, who says both the EMTs work in the dispatch center (located in the same complex) and have “not had patient contact for years”.
From the AP:
Two emergency medical technicians accused of refusing to help a pregnant woman who collapsed in the coffee shop where they were taking a break were suspended Monday, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg called their behavior inexcusable.
The Fire Department of New York suspended Jason Green, a six-year veteran, and Melissa Jackson, a four-year veteran, without pay while the Dec. 9 incident is investigated, spokesman Steve Ritea said.
Eutisha Revee Rennix via The New York Post.
Witnesses, first speaking to The New York Post, said the EMTs told employees at the eatery in downtown Brooklyn to call 911 and then left when they were asked to help Eutisha Revee Rennix, an employee who had collapsed.
An ambulance was called, and Rennix, 25, was taken to Long Island College Hospital, where she died a short time later. Her baby girl was too premature to survive. A message left for Rennix’s mother Monday wasn’t immediately returned.
Home telephone listings for Jackson and Green weren’t unavailable. A call Monday evening to the EMT’s union office wasn’t immediately returned.
Ritea said that all FDNY members “take an oath to assist others whenever they’re in need of emergency medical care. It’s their sworn duty.”
A union spokesman said Monday that EMTs generally consider their jobs to be a 24-hour kind of thing.
“Our people tend to spring into action whether they’re on duty, off duty, whatever they’re doing,” said Robert Ungar, spokesman for the Uniformed EMTS and Paramedics, FDNY.
The city’s EMTs have a “very strong bond with the people of New York City that they serve,” he said. “They view themselves as always being on duty.”
He said the union was waiting to see what the results of the Fire Department’s investigation would be.
“If there was unprofessional conduct by these EMTs, the union does not condone any type of conduct which in any way can harm members of the public,” he said.
On Monday, Bloomberg repeated comments he made over the weekend criticizing the EMTs, saying refusing to help goes against human decency.
“There’s no excuse whatsoever,” he said.
Also on STATter911 …
- Lt. Richard Nappi, FDNY Engine 237, dies at three-alarm Brooklyn warehouse fire. Mayor says ‘Lt. Nappi overheated, suffered exhaustion and collapsed.’ – April 16, 2012
- As expected DC Chief Kenneth Ellerbe makes adjustment to light duty policy impacting pregnant firefighters. Union says it’s not enough. – July 1, 2011
- FDNY EMS Chief John Peruggia first to take a fall for snowstorm. Read the news coverage. – January 6, 2011
- Union Fire Company in Bensalem, PA suspended. Township blames leadership. News reports cite April water supply issue & other problems. – June 13, 2011
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Pretty sad, don’t care how long they hadn’t been in the field.
How about the mayor shuts his mouth until a proper and full investigation is completed? He has no idea what he is talking about besides heresay.
I hope I never get ill around those EMT workers, It does not matter the length of time in the field, it is the fact of lack of compassion for someone in need, the EMT workers could have at least attempted to help. I hope they can live with the fact they could have done something and chose not to. And now a women and an unborn child are dead. What a shame. They should have their certification stripped and never aloud to work as EMT emploees again. This would have never been tolerated from a nurse or a doctor it should not be tolerated with EMT workers as well.
M.E.D.I.C = My Education Doesn’t Include Compassion.
If you wear a uniform you represent the service. If you don’t want to represent the service then don’t wear the uniform. Telling someone to ring 911 because you are on a break is not “doing the best you could” and only a moron would defend the indefensible here. The people who look up to me, wave at me and my crew in our truck and thank us with sincerity for the great job we do did not come to think that way by hearing about brothers just telling someone to ring 911 rather than walk a few steps to look at someone in danger. Shame on them and anyone who would make excuses for them.
FIRE the WORTHLESS employees!!!! What a Frickin’ shame and an EMBARRASSMENT to the Service…
I thought FDNY was so great…
That is disgusting. In NEW YORK of all places???? If you go into the field of emergency aid, you enter into it wanting to save lives. That should be your number one objective. I understand her boyfriend, the other EMT died in a shooting. BAD KARMA. She does not deserve to be an EMT and I would not want her anywhere near me if my life was ever in danger. LOSER