FDNY EMTs do not let Private Medics help with choking child

[akflightmedic]

Three FDNY medics were disciplined after they allegedly stopped a better-trained private ambulance crew from aiding a Bronx child who choked on a rubber ball - a rivalry that may have cost critical minutes, sources told the Daily News.

Four-year-old Joshua Rodriguez had already turned blue when his father and grandmother found him at 7:12 a.m. Tuesday, choking on a red rubber ball he had taken to bed with him the night before.

The FDNY team - emergency medical technicians trained in basic life support - were first to answer the 911 call. The EMTs bundled Joshua into their ambulance and asked over the radio when a second crew - paramedics trained in advanced lifesaving techniques - would arrive. The answer was in a minute.

Just then, contracted paramedics from Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center rolled up. The paramedics approached the FDNY's ambulance and banged on the door to help, but the FDNY ambulance took off, sources said.

"Those paramedics had equipment, forceps, to remove a ball from a child's throat. They could also cut the child's throat to open an airway and start medication," said a source familiar with the incident.

Instead, EMS Lt. Eileen Castor and her two EMTs took Joshua on a 10-minute ride to Jacobi Medical Center, sources said.

During that ride, Joshua was given basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which has little impact if a victim's airway is blocked, sources said.

At 7:40 a.m., Joshua arrived at Jacobi, where doctors removed the rubber ball from his throat. The boy was declared dead at 8 a.m., according to the city medical examiner's officer.

NYPD sources had said it was possible the child had choked to death before he was discovered by his family.

"Would those 10 minutes have made a difference? We'll never know," a police source said.

Joshua's grandmother said the family is heartbroken.

"We're in a lot of pain right now. You've got to give us some time. That was my son's only child," said Maria Rodriguez.

FDNY protocol requires EMTs to give way to paramedics at a scene, according to documents provided to The News.

An FDNY spokesman said the matter was under investigation but declined to discuss details.

The FDNY has investigated complaints about Joshua's treatment and placed Castor and her two EMTs on restricted duty. All three were also required to get a refresher course at the FDNY Academy, sources said.

[Eydawn]

Ok, someone with FDNY EMS or who works EMS in NY clear this up for me. When a higher level of care arrives on scene, and you are still on scene with the patient, you are *required* to relinquish care. Right? Same with a rendezvous...

Wendy

CO EMT-B

[JPINFV]

But on Third Watch banging on the back window is a signal that it's time to start transport. :roll:

[AZCEP]

They are going to receive refresher training from their own academy?! Holy mother of all that is decent :evil: :evil: :evil:

Someone explain how this is going to fix the problem.

[akflightmedic]

But on Third Watch banging on the back window is a signal that it's time to start transport. :roll:

Funny as hell,,,Gave me a heck of a laugh dude...

[Richard B the EMT]

Start with, on Third Watch, there are no EMTs, except one played in one episode by Rosie O'Donnel.

Next, The double slap on the ambulance rear doors, usually by a LEO or a fire fighter, releases the ambulance brakes, and activates the siren, and has been the case for many years in TV and Movies.

Finally, and with no intent at levity, the 3 are not going to be "in refresher". They are going to be "remedieled" (spelling?). Consider it somewhat the equivalent of "after school detention", until they can prove they know what they are supposed to know, and how to perform practical skills. They will be in class for one 8 hour tour, minimum, at the EMS Academy, probably with the captain and the commandant of the academy watching them.

[JPINFV]

8 hours of writing out "Thou shalt not abandon the paramedics on scene" on a chalk board should do the trick.

[Don1977]

Im glad they got disciplined.

[DwayneEMTP]

8 hours of writing out "Thou shalt not abandon the paramedics on scene" on a chalk board should do the trick.

I think eight hours is too lenient. They should have to continue until at least one of them gets the spelling and punctuation right...

You know, I guess you just have to poke fun, because the thought that anyone can continue to get paid, after possibly causing (unclear) or helping to cause the death of a child, while being temporarily demoted to a job they'd rather have anyway, because of a turf war, is too tragic to digest all at once. (I would like to submit this to the academy as the longest sentence ever. Thank you.)

Dwayne

[JPINFV]

Well, there really isn't anything to analyze here. It looks like FDNY's leadership is playing "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" and only a moran would think that they did the right thing ("Oh, look, it's the paramedics! Time to leave! Durrr!"). Unfortunately, the only thing left to do is poke fun at the stupidity of a system that would allow this with only a slap on the wrist.