Pa. medic fired after man's snowstorm death

[Don1977]

Initial story was all 4 to get suspended and when they served there time, Josie was to be fired. That was from the beginning, Dust.

[Lone Star]

What are you guys smoking? It's NOT THE SAME STORY!

Suspensions are not the same thing as a firing. This is a whole new story.

Ok Dust, put down the thai sticks and look closely at the name of the deceased in both articles: Curtis Mitchell, both took place in Pittsburgh during the same snow storm, amazingly enough, the same guy in both stories; died of the same thing in both stories.

Could it be that the medics were initially suspended pending investigation? They were cleared by the State, and hung by the organization they worked for.

Earth to Major Dust, it's time to come back to reality....

Two Pittsburgh Paramedics Face Discipline in Snowstorm Death

2010 Mar 23

PITTSBURGH — At least two Pittsburgh paramedics will be disciplined in the death of a man who waited 30 hours for an ambulance during a powerful snowstorm last month.

Paramedics union President Anthony Weinmann said Monday two union members have received disciplinary notices in the death of 50-year-old Curtis Mitchell on Feb. 7.

Mitchell died after he and his girlfriend placed 10 calls to 911 seeking help for his abdominal pain during a winter storm that dropped 20 inches of snow on the city.

Weinmann says three ambulances aborted to calls to Mitchell's home at the direction of dispatchers or EMS chiefs. The dispatchers' union says no members are facing punishment.

Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Mike Huss says a news conference on the city's investigation has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Story 1

Pa. medic fired after man's snowstorm death

Curtis Mitchell died waiting 30 hours for help during bad weather despite repeated calls to 911

The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh emergency medical worker has been fired following the death of a man who waited 30 hours for help during a snowstorm despite repeated calls to 911.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's office says Josie Dimon was fired Thursday. Her dismissal stems from the death of 50-year-old Curtis Mitchell during a February storm that dropped nearly two feet of snow on the city.

Mitchell had a history of pancreatic inflammation. He and his girlfriend called 911 10 times seeking help for his abdominal pain, but medics couldn't reach their home because of the snow. He was asked to walk four blocks to an ambulance but couldn't make it.

Three other medics were suspended. The paramedics union has said they would fight the suspensions.

A phone message left Friday for Dimon hasn't been returned.

Story 2

Since you replied to both threads about the same thing:

-5 for not using search function

-5 for not taking your alzheimer's medications

-5 for not admitting your faux pas

-10 for not reading both stories and picking up on that 'tiny detail' that both articles were about the same incident. Aren't you one of the ones that is always screaming about paying attention to details? Gotcha, buddy!

[Dustdevil]

Could it be that the medics were initially suspended pending investigation? They were cleared by the State, and hung by the organization they worked for.

Uhhh... I believe that is exactly what I have been saying. And that would be two DIFFERENT stories, complete with different dates.

[JPINFV]

The only personal fail by this woman was the failure to consider that the phoneline she spouted off on may have been recorded- which not even be legal under PA law. Many states require that both parties being recorded have to be made aware of that fact, or its a crime punishible by fines and/or jail.

I'm sure that there's some clause in the employee handbook stating that the phone lines and radio is recorded. Now whether or not most employees read the fine print of their employee handbook is their own problem.

[CBEMT]

I'm sure that there's some clause in the employee handbook stating that the phone lines and radio is recorded. Now whether or not most employees read the fine print of their employee handbook is their own problem.

Speculation on our part. Either way, a blatant attempt to fire someone, anyone, and have the public think that the city is getting rid of the person "responsible" for the man's death. In Josie's case, they (may have) managed to find someone involved who actually violated a (singular, unrelated to patient care in any way) policy.

[Don1977]

Speculation on our part. Either way, a blatant attempt to fire someone, anyone, and have the public think that the city is getting rid of the person "responsible" for the man's death. In Josie's case, they (may have) managed to find someone involved who actually violated a (singular, unrelated to patient care in any way) policy.

The city needed a scapegoat for there blatent disregard for the weather and situation, unfortunately, she was it.....

[Just Plain Ruff]

I think they should fire the weather since the weather was the root cause of all this.

[tamaith]

Does anyone know what was said over the phone/radio that got the medic fired?

[Lone Star]

Does anyone know what was said over the phone/radio that got the medic fired?

"He ain't [expletive] comin' down, and I ain't waitin' all day for him," acting crew chief Josie Dimon was heard to say on a 911 recording played at a news conference today. "I mean, what the [expletive]. This ain't no cab service,"

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10082/1045012-100.stm#ixzz0kwsFTpgy

Read it here

[brentoli]

I'm sure that there's some clause in the employee handbook stating that the phone lines and radio is recorded. Now whether or not most employees read the fine print of their employee handbook is their own problem.

PA law is coded kinda odd like... but it looks like communication centers are exempt from the recording laws. Its like that in most states.