State claims Hamilton cops falsified EMT training

[VentMedic]

Unfortunately there are others that would fit this same act of fraud.

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional...position=recent

State claims Hamilton cops falsified EMT training

By Associated Press

Thursday, December 11, 2008

HAMILTON — A state investigation has found that members of the Hamilton Police Department, including the chief, routinely falsified EMT training records by claiming to have taken classes that were never held.

The state Office of Emergency Medical Services suspended the EMT licenses of one former and eight current officers, including Chief Walter Cullen, saying the department’s actions "endangered public health and safety."

The agency also has pulled the town’s ambulance license for at least one year. Police had provided the town’s ambulance service for at least 40 years.

Since September, Lyons Ambulance Service, a private company, has provided emergency response service for the community.

"Training requirements are in place for a reason: to insure the highest quality of care for the residents of the commonwealth," said Paul Dreyer, DPH’s Director of the Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality.

EMTs and paramedics in Massachusetts are required to undergo a minimum of 28 hours of continuing education, and complete an annual refresher course to maintain state certification. The officers received extra pay every year for taking the courses.

State officials said they found a pattern of alleged deception in Hamilton that goes back 10 years.

Cullen did not return calls from The Salem Evening News, which first reported the suspension, and did not immediately respond to phone and e-mail messages from The Associated Press.

The agency also alleged that the fraud was known to town officials.

Board of Selectman Chairman Dick Low said the town was looking into the situation, including possible disciplinary action. Low said Cullen, who is scheduled to retire in February, was still in charge of the department.

[WolfmanHarris]

Welp, it wasn't the Fire Department this time.

Just goes to show that when you take anyone who doesn't want to be in EMS and make that a part of their job whether they like it or not, they're going to take the easiest, laziest approach to it possible.

And as an FYI, their website.

[Dustdevil]

NObody will be fired for this.

Mark my words.