Comments on: Police Car Drivers, Ambulance Drivers, and their responsibilities http://lifeunderthelights.com/2010/06/police-car-drivers-ambulance-drivers-and-their-responsibilities/ This blog is about EMS, and one Paramedic's quest to make this the profession it deserves to be. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:36:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kentuckychick http://lifeunderthelights.com/2010/06/police-car-drivers-ambulance-drivers-and-their-responsibilities/comment-page-1/#comment-1709 Kentuckychick Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:54:57 +0000 http://lifeunderthelights.com/?p=893#comment-1709 As a Lexington resident who came upon your site just tonight, I can tell you that this case has completely sickened me, and our entire community. No one can understand why the simple pulse check that could have told the individuals on scene that Umi Southworth was still alive, was never completed. No one can understand why the paramedics were not immediately called. And certainly, no one can understand why it took 3 hours... from 7:00 in the evening to nearly 10 pm for the coroner to even be notified... and then until after 11 for him to be able to get close enough to the body to figure out himself that she wasn't dead. Sickening is what it is. And admittedly I'm not a police officer, nor am I a paramedic, or anyone who has any general knowledge of crime scene investigation... BUT I would hope to God that the first thing I would do, or anyone else for that matter, when coming upon the body of a fellow person who's been beaten would be to at least have the human decency to reach out and feel for a freaking pulse.<br><br>And in the days since yes, the Chief of Police has said that it is/was the spoken policy that if a person "looked dead enough" they could just presume death and that this policy will change... the written policy, however is that paramedics IMMEDIATELY be notified.<br><br>Rules are made to keep people safe... I just hope that Mrs. Southworth did not suffer in those 5 hours she was left for dead by the people who should have been helping her. As a Lexington resident who came upon your site just tonight, I can tell you that this case has completely sickened me, and our entire community. No one can understand why the simple pulse check that could have told the individuals on scene that Umi Southworth was still alive, was never completed. No one can understand why the paramedics were not immediately called. And certainly, no one can understand why it took 3 hours… from 7:00 in the evening to nearly 10 pm for the coroner to even be notified… and then until after 11 for him to be able to get close enough to the body to figure out himself that she wasn't dead. Sickening is what it is. And admittedly I'm not a police officer, nor am I a paramedic, or anyone who has any general knowledge of crime scene investigation… BUT I would hope to God that the first thing I would do, or anyone else for that matter, when coming upon the body of a fellow person who's been beaten would be to at least have the human decency to reach out and feel for a freaking pulse.

And in the days since yes, the Chief of Police has said that it is/was the spoken policy that if a person “looked dead enough” they could just presume death and that this policy will change… the written policy, however is that paramedics IMMEDIATELY be notified.

Rules are made to keep people safe… I just hope that Mrs. Southworth did not suffer in those 5 hours she was left for dead by the people who should have been helping her.

]]> By: Kentuckychick http://lifeunderthelights.com/2010/06/police-car-drivers-ambulance-drivers-and-their-responsibilities/comment-page-1/#comment-1708 Kentuckychick Mon, 21 Jun 2010 05:54:57 +0000 http://lifeunderthelights.com/?p=893#comment-1708 As a Lexington resident who came upon your site just tonight, I can tell you that this case has completely sickened me, and our entire community. No one can understand why the simple pulse check that could have told the individuals on scene that Umi Southworth was still alive, was never completed. No one can understand why the paramedics were not immediately called. And certainly, no one can understand why it took 3 hours... from 7:00 in the evening to nearly 10 pm for the coroner to even be notified... and then until after 11 for him to be able to get close enough to the body to figure out himself that she wasn't dead. Sickening is what it is. And admittedly I'm not a police officer, nor am I a paramedic, or anyone who has any general knowledge of crime scene investigation... BUT I would hope to God that the first thing I would do, or anyone else for that matter, when coming upon the body of a fellow person who's been beaten would be to at least have the human decency to reach out and feel for a freaking pulse.<br><br>And in the days since yes, the Chief of Police has said that it is/was the spoken policy that if a person "looked dead enough" they could just presume death and that this policy will change... the written policy, however is that paramedics IMMEDIATELY be notified.<br><br>Rules are made to keep people safe... I just hope that Mrs. Southworth did not suffer in those 5 hours she was left for dead by the people who should have been helping her. As a Lexington resident who came upon your site just tonight, I can tell you that this case has completely sickened me, and our entire community. No one can understand why the simple pulse check that could have told the individuals on scene that Umi Southworth was still alive, was never completed. No one can understand why the paramedics were not immediately called. And certainly, no one can understand why it took 3 hours… from 7:00 in the evening to nearly 10 pm for the coroner to even be notified… and then until after 11 for him to be able to get close enough to the body to figure out himself that she wasn't dead. Sickening is what it is. And admittedly I'm not a police officer, nor am I a paramedic, or anyone who has any general knowledge of crime scene investigation… BUT I would hope to God that the first thing I would do, or anyone else for that matter, when coming upon the body of a fellow person who's been beaten would be to at least have the human decency to reach out and feel for a freaking pulse.

And in the days since yes, the Chief of Police has said that it is/was the spoken policy that if a person “looked dead enough” they could just presume death and that this policy will change… the written policy, however is that paramedics IMMEDIATELY be notified.

Rules are made to keep people safe… I just hope that Mrs. Southworth did not suffer in those 5 hours she was left for dead by the people who should have been helping her.

]]> By: Rescue Monkey http://lifeunderthelights.com/2010/06/police-car-drivers-ambulance-drivers-and-their-responsibilities/comment-page-1/#comment-1707 Rescue Monkey Sat, 19 Jun 2010 23:33:41 +0000 http://lifeunderthelights.com/?p=893#comment-1707 In Kentucky there are only two groups of people who can pronounce a person dead. Physicians & Paramedics. It is sad that the police did not bother to check for a pulse. They couldn't have gotten close enough. I do not know Lexington Police Policy. I can account for the policy in the largest city in Kentucky. Every presumed DOA gets a paramedic to pronounce/confirm death. In Kentucky there are only two groups of people who can pronounce a person dead. Physicians & Paramedics. It is sad that the police did not bother to check for a pulse. They couldn't have gotten close enough. I do not know Lexington Police Policy. I can account for the policy in the largest city in Kentucky. Every presumed DOA gets a paramedic to pronounce/confirm death.

]]> By: ET04 DLE NHS Patient Transport Services left hooks girl on bike | Patient Transport Services http://lifeunderthelights.com/2010/06/police-car-drivers-ambulance-drivers-and-their-responsibilities/comment-page-1/#comment-1701 ET04 DLE NHS Patient Transport Services left hooks girl on bike | Patient Transport Services Sat, 19 Jun 2010 22:15:25 +0000 http://lifeunderthelights.com/?p=893#comment-1701 [...] Police Car Drivers, Ambulance Drivers, &#1072&#1495&#1281 t&#1211&#1077&#1110r responsibilities | Li... [...] [...] Police Car Drivers, Ambulance Drivers, &#1072&#1495&#1281 t&#1211&#1077&#1110r responsibilities | Li… [...]

]]> By: Rescue Monkey http://lifeunderthelights.com/2010/06/police-car-drivers-ambulance-drivers-and-their-responsibilities/comment-page-1/#comment-1699 Rescue Monkey Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:33:41 +0000 http://lifeunderthelights.com/?p=893#comment-1699 In Kentucky there are only two groups of people who can pronounce a person dead. Physicians & Paramedics. It is sad that the police did not bother to check for a pulse. They couldn't have gotten close enough. I do not know Lexington Police Policy. I can account for the policy in the largest city in Kentucky. Every presumed DOA gets a paramedic to pronounce/confirm death. In Kentucky there are only two groups of people who can pronounce a person dead. Physicians & Paramedics. It is sad that the police did not bother to check for a pulse. They couldn't have gotten close enough. I do not know Lexington Police Policy. I can account for the policy in the largest city in Kentucky. Every presumed DOA gets a paramedic to pronounce/confirm death.

]]> By: Tgl3816 http://lifeunderthelights.com/2010/06/police-car-drivers-ambulance-drivers-and-their-responsibilities/comment-page-1/#comment-1625 Tgl3816 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:20:14 +0000 http://lifeunderthelights.com/?p=893#comment-1625 The irony of it all... I have been on too many "crime scenes" to list and had to pretty much beg to let me confirm apparent death merely because they did not want EMS to hinder the crime scene evidence. Yet, five minutes later I will be dispatched to a MVC with no reported injuries because they think that the "refusal" form releases them from liability. Crazy stuff happening out there. Always keep your eyes open. The irony of it all… I have been on too many “crime scenes” to list and had to pretty much beg to let me confirm apparent death merely because they did not want EMS to hinder the crime scene evidence. Yet, five minutes later I will be dispatched to a MVC with no reported injuries because they think that the “refusal” form releases them from liability. Crazy stuff happening out there. Always keep your eyes open.

]]> By: CBEMT http://lifeunderthelights.com/2010/06/police-car-drivers-ambulance-drivers-and-their-responsibilities/comment-page-1/#comment-1623 CBEMT Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:30:08 +0000 http://lifeunderthelights.com/?p=893#comment-1623 <i>I've decided if I'm ever on campus and there's a medical emergency I'm just calling 911 who will dispatch both at the same time. </i><br><br>Don't bet somebody's life on it. More than once people called 911 at my college, and Fire and EMS showed up without Campus PD having any idea why they were there. Their training, jump bags, O2, and AEDs could have been onscene within 2 minutes anywhere on campus, but it all went to waste if the only call made was to 911. <br><br>Not to mention the fact that FD/EMS didn't necessarily have access to the building without Campus PD being there to meet them. Our first-due engine knew the campus fairly well from coming on fire alarms, but the city EMS did not- which is why when notified, Campus PD would post a car at the entrance to campus and lead them to the building, saving valuable time. Which they can't do if nobody calls them. I've decided if I'm ever on campus and there's a medical emergency I'm just calling 911 who will dispatch both at the same time.

Don't bet somebody's life on it. More than once people called 911 at my college, and Fire and EMS showed up without Campus PD having any idea why they were there. Their training, jump bags, O2, and AEDs could have been onscene within 2 minutes anywhere on campus, but it all went to waste if the only call made was to 911.

Not to mention the fact that FD/EMS didn't necessarily have access to the building without Campus PD being there to meet them. Our first-due engine knew the campus fairly well from coming on fire alarms, but the city EMS did not- which is why when notified, Campus PD would post a car at the entrance to campus and lead them to the building, saving valuable time. Which they can't do if nobody calls them.

]]> By: CBEMT http://lifeunderthelights.com/2010/06/police-car-drivers-ambulance-drivers-and-their-responsibilities/comment-page-1/#comment-1622 CBEMT Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:30:08 +0000 http://lifeunderthelights.com/?p=893#comment-1622 <i>I've decided if I'm ever on campus and there's a medical emergency I'm just calling 911 who will dispatch both at the same time. </i><br><br>Don't bet somebody's life on it. More than once people called 911 at my college, and Fire and EMS showed up without Campus PD having any idea why they were there. Their training, jump bags, O2, and AEDs could have been onscene within 2 minutes anywhere on campus, but it all went to waste if the only call made was to 911. <br><br>Not to mention the fact that FD/EMS didn't necessarily have access to the building without Campus PD being there to meet them. Our first-due engine knew the campus fairly well from coming on fire alarms, but the city EMS did not- which is why when notified, Campus PD would post a car at the entrance to campus and lead them to the building, saving valuable time. Which they can't do if nobody calls them. I've decided if I'm ever on campus and there's a medical emergency I'm just calling 911 who will dispatch both at the same time.

Don't bet somebody's life on it. More than once people called 911 at my college, and Fire and EMS showed up without Campus PD having any idea why they were there. Their training, jump bags, O2, and AEDs could have been onscene within 2 minutes anywhere on campus, but it all went to waste if the only call made was to 911.

Not to mention the fact that FD/EMS didn't necessarily have access to the building without Campus PD being there to meet them. Our first-due engine knew the campus fairly well from coming on fire alarms, but the city EMS did not- which is why when notified, Campus PD would post a car at the entrance to campus and lead them to the building, saving valuable time. Which they can't do if nobody calls them.

]]> By: Tweets that mention Police Car Drivers, Ambulance Drivers, and their responsibilities | Life Under the Lights -- Topsy.com http://lifeunderthelights.com/2010/06/police-car-drivers-ambulance-drivers-and-their-responsibilities/comment-page-1/#comment-1619 Tweets that mention Police Car Drivers, Ambulance Drivers, and their responsibilities | Life Under the Lights -- Topsy.com Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:12:47 +0000 http://lifeunderthelights.com/?p=893#comment-1619 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by yvonne griffin and Chris Kaiser, Chris Kaiser. Chris Kaiser said: New blog post: Police Car Drivers, Ambulance Drivers, and their responsibilities http://bit.ly/cuiK1M [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by yvonne griffin and Chris Kaiser, Chris Kaiser. Chris Kaiser said: New blog post: Police Car Drivers, Ambulance Drivers, and their responsibilities http://bit.ly/cuiK1M [...]

]]> By: Man killed in Uintah County oil rig accident | Health | safety | insurance http://lifeunderthelights.com/2010/06/police-car-drivers-ambulance-drivers-and-their-responsibilities/comment-page-1/#comment-1616 Man killed in Uintah County oil rig accident | Health | safety | insurance Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:59:51 +0000 http://lifeunderthelights.com/?p=893#comment-1616 [...] Police Car Drivers, Ambulance Drivers, and their responsibilities … [...] [...] Police Car Drivers, Ambulance Drivers, and their responsibilities … [...]

]]>