• Man dies when 911 calls unheeded
    128 replies, posted
[QUOTE=Acesarge;20493893]I am an EMT and that is a load of shit. The first thing we are taught in our training is your safety comes first, then that of your crew, then the safety of the patient. For those of you saying the EMS crews should have walked to the house, try carrying an 80+ pound stretcher, EKG machine, oxygen tank, drug box, and jump bag through 22 inches of snow and see how far you get. If the roads hadn't been plowed how would you suggest they get there? "All Pittsburgh EMS Chief Robert McCaughan said each time a call to 911 was placed, it was canceled by the Emergency Operations Center. ambulances where canceled before they could arrive on scene. It's not the crews fault they where canceled." [url]http://www.ems1.com/ems-management/articles/761619-Pa-EMS-under-review-after-man-dies-waiting-for-ambulance/[/url] "3 different ambulances. Each time the ambulance became stuck in the snow about 1/4 mile from the patient’s residence. First call. Medic 5 was dispatched. The 911 call was placed at 02:09 02/06/2010. Canceled by the caller at 03:57 02/06/2010. Second call. Medic 8 was dispatched. The 911 call was placed at 04:53 02/06/2010. Canceled by the caller at 06:23 02/06/2010. Third call. Medic 7 was dispatched. The 911 call was placed at 11:18 02/06/2010. Canceled by dispatch at 21:31 02/06/2010. How is being canceled behavior that deserves blame? How are ambulances supposed to get to patients when the snow and ice makes the streets impassable for the ambulance and for the patient? The medics never refused to transport Curtis Mitchell. The medics were canceled each time."[/QUOTE] "We failed this person," said Michael Huss, the city's public safety director. Hmm. Looks to me like in those 30 hours something could have been done, yet rescue teams failed to utilize equipment. I'm not saying Paramedics, I'm saying fire crews or snow plows. And correct if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure you can create a rail system using a ladder and backboard.
[QUOTE=Identity;20500562]First off all, I'm seventeen, so get that through your mind. Second, I have determination, especially when it comes to a person living or dying. And I didn't say I knew how to be a Paramedic, you just assumed I did to make your post appear smarter, when all it is, is speculation and you being an asshole. But that's just my take.[/QUOTE] No, you simply assume you know what you're going to do and don't take account of everything. You think fucking paramedics are lazy? They didn't take the job out laziness, they did to help people, most the EMT positions are volunteer position because anyone who volunteers for a job like that is determined. You don't know shit what happened but you assume that the EMTs were cold heartless sons of bitches that didn't care. Show me the quote where the EMT's [b]knew[/b] that a man was dying and the order wasn't cancelled. That man isn't the only man dying around a fucking city, they're in an ambulance, they're not in the call room itself. They get the order where the sick is, they go there unless the order is cancelled, usually reserved for those who overreacted. How would they know if the man is dying? It was called to 3 different ambulances and was cancelled the each time. You can go ahead and claim that you walk your ass all the over there, but in reality you wouldn't. Talk is talk.
[QUOTE=Identity;20501483]"We failed this person," said Michael Huss, the city's public safety director. Hmm. Looks to me like in those 30 hours something could have been done, yet rescue teams failed to utilize equipment. I'm not saying Paramedics, I'm saying fire crews or snow plows. And correct if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure you can create a rail system using a ladder and backboard.[/QUOTE] You are right, more could have been done but that's not the medics responsibility. The cause of the problem was poor communication between dispatchers. You can make a rail system with a ladder and backboard but good luck finding enough ladders to stretch 1/4 of a mile.
[QUOTE=lolwutdude;20501643]No, you simply assume you know what you're going to do and don't take account of everything. You think fucking paramedics are lazy? They didn't take the job out laziness, they did to help people, most the EMT positions are volunteer position because anyone who volunteers for a job like that is determined. You don't know shit what happened but you assume that the EMTs were cold heartless sons of bitches that didn't care. Show me the quote where the EMT's [b]knew[/b] that a man was dying and the order wasn't cancelled. That man isn't the only man dying around a fucking city, they're in an ambulance, they're not in the call room itself. They get the order where the sick is, they go there unless the order is cancelled, usually reserved for those who overreacted. How would they know if the man is dying? It was called to 3 different ambulances and was cancelled the each time. You can go ahead and claim that you walk your ass all the over there, but in reality you wouldn't. Talk is talk.[/QUOTE] No where in any of my posts did I say an EMT was lazy, I simply stated that rescue crews failed to assist a man who was in need of medical attention. The system broke down. And how the hell would you know what actions I would take? You don't. Look at you, who's being all whiny and shit over a post that you misinterpreted. Just because you can't get to somewhere, doesn't mean you can't improvise. Snow is one obstacle. And I would walk a football fields length away to help someone. Sure it would be hard and treacherous, but in the end it's worth it, correct? The person is now safe, can get medical attention, and possibly survive. You seem like you would be the person to sit in the apparatus truck and bitch about rules and how "talk is talk", rather than actually find a solution. But who am I to judge? You don't know me, you assume to, and that is what's sad. You can't even hold the small hope that a person would go the distance to actually help someone in need. You're cynical towards those who want to make the difference, because you know you wouldn't do it yourself. Before you comment back about how I'm a liar, think about if you were in the same situation. Sitting there in the dark and cold, just hoping that someone is going to come to help you. You're waiting, wondering when help is going to arrive, wondering how they're going to get you out of this mess. All this man had was hope. And now, he's dead. I would go the distance to help you. I don't even know you, and here you are spouting off all this shit, and I'd actually help you. Accept the fact that good people are out there, and that they are willing to try and preserve a life.
[QUOTE=Acesarge;20497695]Did you not read my post, the ambulance was canceled. All of you who are blaming the paramedic crews need to shut the fuck up and read my post before vomiting out your comments. The ambulance was canceled, they didn't say "fuck that guy I am not walking in the snow" and drive off. When a call is canceled the dispatcher doesn't say why, all you know is you know is to turn around and return to you station. The people who fucked up where the dispatchers.[/QUOTE] Yes I did read your posts and I read the part where the paramedics were only a block away from that guys house. If I was a medic I would've gotten out of the vehicle and took some things with me to at least try and save that person even if I had to go back.
[QUOTE=Acesarge;20501806]You are right, more could have been done but that's not the medics responsibility. The cause of the problem was poor communication between dispatchers. You can make a rail system with a ladder and backboard but good luck finding enough ladders to stretch 1/4 of a mile.[/QUOTE] I'm not saying get a 1/4 mile long ladder. Run the backboard along the ladders length. Then just keep resetting till you reach the truck.
[QUOTE=Identity;20501959]No where in any of my posts did I say an EMT was lazy, I simply stated that rescue crews failed to assist a man who was in need of medical attention. The system broke down. And how the hell would you know what actions I would take? You don't. Look at you, who's being all whiny and shit over a post that you misinterpreted. Just because you can't get to somewhere, doesn't mean you can't improvise. Snow is one obstacle. And I would walk a football fields length away to help someone. Sure it would be hard and treacherous, but in the end it's worth it, correct? The person is now safe, can get medical attention, and possibly survive. You seem like you would be the person to sit in the apparatus truck and bitch about rules and how "talk is talk", rather than actually find a solution. But who am I to judge? You don't know me, you assume to, and that is what's sad. You can't even hold the small hope that a person would go the distance to actually help someone in need. You're cynical towards those who want to make the difference, because you know you wouldn't do it yourself. Before you comment back about how I'm a liar, think about if you were in the same situation. Sitting there in the dark and cold, just hoping that someone is going to come to help you. You're waiting, wondering when help is going to arrive, wondering how they're going to get you out of this mess. All this man had was hope. And now, he's dead. I would go the distance to help you. I don't even know you, and here you are spouting off all this shit, and I'd actually help you. Accept the fact that good people are out there, and that they are willing to try and preserve a life.[/QUOTE] did you even read my post, son? How the fuck would you even know a man was in danger or dying? Do you know the job of a dispatcher at all? Their responsibility? Their job is to tell the EMT's where to go, the status of shit, and tell me who to help. EMT's job is to obey the dispatcher and save people's lives. Do you realize how many false alarms and calls are made? Whiny bitches make stupid phone calls only for the dispatcher to realize and cancel the ambulances. This call has been made to [b]three different ambulances[/'b], not the same ones, all three probably thought no man was dying, and cancelled to help other people in need. Let's say you did walk the football distance in the fucking snow with 80+ pounds of equipment only to find the man was overreacting and was well? You just spent all that time you could've spent helping other people in real trouble, too late, they're dead. I'm not being whiny or shitting, I'm laughing at you because you think you have power behind a monitor. have common sense plz. [editline]12:10AM[/editline] [QUOTE=keatinator;20502062]Yes I did read your posts and I read the part where the paramedics were only a block away from that guys house. If I was a medic I would've gotten out of the vehicle and took some things with me to at least try and save that person even if I had to go back.[/QUOTE] How would you know? All the dispatcher tells you is that a man is having pain in his house and it's cancelled. Would you think the man is dying or he overreacted? Would you walk a football length of snow with 80+ pounds of equipment only to find a possibility of danger or would you drive away to find a confirmed person in need?
wow, this guy is getting the SHIT trolled out of him
[QUOTE=Corporal Yippie;20499989]I guess mother nature gave this guy the cold shoulder[/QUOTE] If you're going to make puns about a sad story at least make good ones
*Takes off glasses* it looks like this man *takes off other pair of glasses* IS DEAD! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
[QUOTE=M..BISON;20502342]*Takes off glasses* it looks like this man *takes off other pair of glasses* IS DEAD! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH[/QUOTE] the man died because Identity was too lazy to help him :(((
[QUOTE=lolwutdude;20502132]did you even read my post, son? How the fuck would you even know a man was in danger or dying? Do you know the job of a dispatcher at all? Their responsibility? Their job is to tell the EMT's where to go, the status of shit, and tell me who to help. EMT's job is to obey the dispatcher and save people's lives. Do you realize how many false alarms and calls are made? Whiny bitches make stupid phone calls only for the dispatcher to realize and cancel the ambulances. This call has been made to [b]three different ambulances[/'b], not the same ones, all three probably thought no man was dying, and cancelled to help other people in need. Let's say you did walk the football distance in the fucking snow with 80+ pounds of equipment only to find the man was overreacting and was well? You just spent all that time you could've spent helping other people in real trouble, too late, they're dead. I'm not being whiny or shitting, I'm laughing at you because you think you have power behind a monitor. have common sense plz. [editline]12:10AM[/editline] How would you know? All the dispatcher tells you is that a man is having pain in his house and it's cancelled. Would you think the man is dying or he overreacted? Would you walk a football length of snow with 80+ pounds of equipment only to find a possibility of danger or would you drive away to find a confirmed person in need?[/QUOTE] Well least say I did decide to go back after the call was cancelled. The guy rings again and I'm still on duty I will go and actually try to get to his house because if he rang again then it must urgent. I also have a good memory for things and would recognise the address too which would make me think on why the person has called more than once then I would difenitly try to get there even if it means walking a block in the snow.
Heh, I remember when my neighboor cut his finger about 99% in half (was hanging by a bit of skin), we called the equivalent of 911 here and here's the conversation: Me: Good Evening, I need an ambulance to address <add. here>, my neighboor cut his finger in half. 911: Alright sir, is he missing the finger completely? Me: No, it's hanging by just a tiny bit of skin. 911: Sorry sir, we cannot send an ambulance unless he's completely missing a limb. Me: WELL DO YOU WANT ME TO FINISH IT OFF SO YOU CAN COME? at which point they hung up on me. Then we had to ask a neighboor to drive him to the hospital because we had no car :v:
[QUOTE=keatinator;20502408]Well least say I did decide to go back after the call was cancelled. The guy rings again and I'm still on duty I will go and actually try to get to his house because if he rang again then it must urgent. I also have a good memory for things and would recognise the address too which would make me think on why the person has called more than once then I would difenitly try to get there even if it means walking a block in the snow.[/QUOTE] No, you wouldn't know, you're in an ambulance. You're not in the dispatch room, you only know the address and his symptoms. You wouldn't know if the man made the call more than once, it was made to three [b]different[/b] ambulances, and you have more than one person to save.
[QUOTE=lolwutdude;20502132]did you even read my post, son? How the fuck would you even know a man was in danger or dying? Do you know the job of a dispatcher at all? Their responsibility? Their job is to tell the EMT's where to go, the status of shit, and tell me who to help. EMT's job is to obey the dispatcher and save people's lives. Do you realize how many false alarms and calls are made? Whiny bitches make stupid phone calls only for the dispatcher to realize and cancel the ambulances. This call has been made to [b]three different ambulances[/'b], not the same ones, all three probably thought no man was dying, and cancelled to help other people in need. Let's say you did walk the football distance in the fucking snow with 80+ pounds of equipment only to find the man was overreacting and was well? You just spent all that time you could've spent helping other people in real trouble, too late, they're dead. I'm not being whiny or shitting, I'm laughing at you because you think you have power behind a monitor. have common sense plz.[/QUOTE] Have common sense? Three different ambulances were dispatched. How many phone calls were made for help? And you generalize this as if it were any old rescue call. Except the outcome of it was bad. Let's say I did walk the football field and it was a false alarm. At least I can go home with the mentality that the person is alright, and that they did not require my assistance. Let's say I didn't walk to the house and the person died, like in this story. How would you feel? Knowing that the person you were trying to reach died because of a fault in the system? You're laughing because I think I have power behind a monitor? Well everyone has the power to do something, don't they? Ordinary people become heroes to others every day.
[QUOTE=Identity;20502569]Have common sense? Three different ambulances were dispatched. How many phone calls were made for help? And you generalize this as if it were any old rescue call. Except the outcome of it was bad. Let's say I did walk the football field and it was a false alarm. At least I can go home with the mentality that the person is alright, and that they did not require my assistance. Let's say I didn't walk to the house and the person died, like in this story. How would you feel? Knowing that the person you were trying to reach died because of a fault in the system? You're laughing because I think I have power behind a monitor? Well everyone has the power to do something, don't they? Ordinary people become heroes to others every day.[/QUOTE] Son, do you read correctly? [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] (copy pasting is fun again) [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] They didn't call them more than once about the man's situation son, they had no choice but to think the man probably overreacted. They got no more info about the guy and just told the shit was cancelled. Also, people are dying chile, go help them, son
[QUOTE=lolwutdude;20502387]the man died because Identity was too lazy to help him :((([/QUOTE] Too bad lolwutdude wasn't there to pitch in. He was bitching about rules back in of the apparatus truck. [editline]07:32PM[/editline] [QUOTE=lolwutdude;20502643]Son, do you read correctly? [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] (copy pasting is fun again) [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] [b]Dispatches called three different ambulances[/b] They didn't call them more than once about the man's situation son, they had no choice but to think the man probably overreacted. They got no more info about the guy and just told the shit was cancelled. Also, people are dying chile, go help them, son[/QUOTE] Haha, wow. Look at the second sentence of the post I quoted. Ignorance is really getting to you isn't it?
[QUOTE=Identity;20502660]Too bad lolwutdude wasn't there to pitch in. He was bitching about rules back in of the apparatus truck. [editline]07:32PM[/editline] Haha, wow. Look at the second sentence of the post I quoted. Ignorance is really getting to you isn't it?[/QUOTE] Dispatched and cancelled, do you read what you type? What rules did I bitch in a back of the apparatus truck? swearing is bad, son, lets stop swearing for the kids reading this board.
[QUOTE=lolwutdude;20502774]Dispatched and cancelled, do you read what you type? What rules did I bitch in a back of the apparatus truck? swearing is bad, son, lets stop swearing for the kids reading this board.[/QUOTE] What rules? The one where you were saying something about how "Since it's cancelled, we should just go back to the station". I believe it was something along those lines. Aw, now we're starting to care about swearing? How nice. :) Except for the fact it's pretty hypocritical considering the language you just used in your post. But, I'm done with arguing for now. You comment about whatever you want, and I'll just sit back and relax. It's an internet argument about the actions of others. No one's going to win no matter how many points either one makes.
[QUOTE=Identity;20502856]What rules? The one where you were saying something about how "Since it's cancelled, we should just go back to the station". I believe it was something along those lines. Aw, now we're starting to care about swearing? How nice. :) Except for the fact it's pretty hypocritical considering the language you just used in your post. But, I'm done with arguing for now. You comment about whatever you want, and I'll just sit back and relax. It's an internet argument about the actions of others. No one's going to win no matter how many points either one makes.[/QUOTE] I'll take this as you surrender and give up. It's okay, I have the power of Jesus in my side, and the ferocity of an American. I usually win every internet debate. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMYN77v-d_g[/media]
[QUOTE=CodeMonkey3;20489988]I'm going to hell.[/QUOTE] :buddy: :unsmith: :smith:
[QUOTE=lolwutdude;20502913]I'll take this as you surrender and give up. It's okay, I have the power of Jesus in my side, and the ferocity of an American. I usually win every internet debate. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMYN77v-d_g[/media][/QUOTE] Take it however you want to. Like I said, I don't care.
[QUOTE=CodeMonkey3;20490290]Neither could the god damn ambulance. Why is everyone blaming the ambulance? I live in New York and we got three feet of snow. We were in a State of Emergency for two days. You can barely get through the snow in the road with a four-wheel-drive vehicle much less an ambulance and on a bridge no less.[/QUOTE] Because it was in walking distance. I mean what the fuck? That's being lazy and selfish.
3 days for help is absolutley pathetic. She could have dragged his body to the hospital in that time.
[QUOTE=Acesarge;20493893]I am an EMT and that is a load of shit. The first thing we are taught in our training is your safety comes first, then that of your crew, then the safety of the patient. For those of you saying the EMS crews should have walked to the house, try carrying an 80+ pound stretcher, EKG machine, oxygen tank, drug box, and jump bag through 22 inches of snow and see how far you get. If the roads hadn't been plowed how would you suggest they get there? "All Pittsburgh EMS Chief Robert McCaughan said each time a call to 911 was placed, it was canceled by the Emergency Operations Center. ambulances where canceled before they could arrive on scene. It's not the crews fault they where canceled." [url]http://www.ems1.com/ems-management/articles/761619-Pa-EMS-under-review-after-man-dies-waiting-for-ambulance/[/url] "3 different ambulances. Each time the ambulance became stuck in the snow about 1/4 mile from the patient’s residence. First call. Medic 5 was dispatched. The 911 call was placed at 02:09 02/06/2010. Canceled by the caller at 03:57 02/06/2010. Second call. Medic 8 was dispatched. The 911 call was placed at 04:53 02/06/2010. Canceled by the caller at 06:23 02/06/2010. Third call. Medic 7 was dispatched. The 911 call was placed at 11:18 02/06/2010. Canceled by dispatch at 21:31 02/06/2010. How is being canceled behavior that deserves blame? How are ambulances supposed to get to patients when the snow and ice makes the streets impassable for the ambulance and for the patient? The medics never refused to transport Curtis Mitchell. The medics were canceled each time."[/QUOTE] If the guy wasn't in need of Emergency help and could get himself to the hospital he would not have called 911 in the first place. I think it is totally wrong that the paramedics would not even get out of the Ambulance and at least attempt to walk to the house to help this guy. Instead they expected him to be able to "walk" to the ambulance if he needed to go to the hospital.
The poster who stated he is an EMT made some very good points. I would like to add to those. I was trained for your safety and your crew's safety also. There IS a reason behind this and no, it is not being selfish. Scene safety is the first thing you do. You arrive on scene and look over the situation. If you roll up on an accident and jolt out of your squad/rescue/engine and go running - oops, you missed that live wire there on the ground. Guess what, you're dead! Now let's go on further to that point. You are going to say "Bleh bleh bleh it's your job to risk your life though!" Yes, it is. However.... Example. Ambulance crew decides to go for it. They go barreling through the snow. However, while disregarding their own safety, they crash. Now you have an even bigger issue. You have paramedics who are hurt who need rescue now as well. Not only does that tie up MORE services but it also takes out an entire squad and equipment as well as trained people. That leaves more people who may need help exposed to danger. You never want to be the first on your own scene. You need to be safe so you can help people. You need to be safe so you do not cause something and get hurt and tie up other people who have to come and now help you. It's a very tragic story, and I feel for the family. But people need to chill out before throwing the blame game around.
[QUOTE=HkSniper;20506876]The poster who stated he is an EMT made some very good points. I would like to add to those. I was trained for your safety and your crew's safety also. There IS a reason behind this and no, it is not being selfish. Scene safety is the first thing you do. You arrive on scene and look over the situation. If you roll up on an accident and jolt out of your squad/rescue/engine and go running - oops, you missed that live wire there on the ground. Guess what, you're dead! Now let's go on further to that point. You are going to say "Bleh bleh bleh it's your job to risk your life though!" Yes, it is. However.... Example. Ambulance crew decides to go for it. They go barreling through the snow. However, while disregarding their own safety, they crash. Now you have an even bigger issue. You have paramedics who are hurt who need rescue now as well. Not only does that tie up MORE services but it also takes out an entire squad and equipment as well as trained people. That leaves more people who may need help exposed to danger. You never want to be the first on your own scene. You need to be safe so you can help people. You need to be safe so you do not cause something and get hurt and tie up other people who have to come and now help you. It's a very tragic story, and I feel for the family. But people need to chill out before throwing the blame game around.[/QUOTE] Well I guess not everyone on this forum is a 12 year old idiot. You are 100% right, at every skill station in the EMT class you fail if you don't say BSi(body substance isolation) and scene safety.
I hope those cunts get some jail time. That's why I'd glad there's a volunteer service in my area. I know they actually care about helping people and will go above and beyond the call of duty to save a life. I don't know how I could live with myself if I were them.
That must of been horrible, knowing a man is dying slowly and painfully, but you cannot get to him.
[QUOTE=lolwutdude;20502536]No, you wouldn't know, you're in an ambulance. You're not in the dispatch room, you only know the address and his symptoms. You wouldn't know if the man made the call more than once, it was made to three [B]different[/B] ambulances, and you have more than one person to save.[/QUOTE] It was an example and a what if kind of situation. And I was saying if I was in the ambulance getting called out to an emergncy to one place more than once then I would out and try to save him. That is all.
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