As I wrote in my previous post, City may discipline EMS workers – Public Safety Director Michael Huss, the statement by Public Safety Director Michael Huss is one that suggests that he is covering something up with an absurdly simplistic attempt to blame EMS. What did he say?
Mr. Huss said they should have walked to Mr. Mitchell’s home to retrieve him. “It’s that simple,” he said.[1]
Apparently, Public Safety Director Michael Huss is not aware that there was a snow storm that resulted in a huge delay in responding to calls.
There were 3 dispatches of ambulances while the patient was presumed to be alive.
Each time the ambulance became stuck in the snow about a quarter of a mile from the patient’s residence.
Each time the ambulance was canceled by the caller or the 911 center.
First call. 911 call placed at 02:09 02/06/2010. Call canceled by caller at 03:57 02/06/2010.[2]
Second call. 911 call placed at 04:53 02/06/2010. Call canceled by caller at 06:23 02/06/2010.
Third call. 911 call placed at 11:18 02/06/2010. Call canceled by dispatch at 21:31 02/06/2010.
Fourth call. The next day 911 was called for a DOA (Dead On Arrival).
At no time did EMS crews refuse to transport anyone.
It appears that, after being canceled, EMS continued to dig themselves out of the snow, then they were dispatched to other calls. It appears that all crews were continually assigned to calls.
Where was Public Safety Director Michael Huss during the death of Curtis Mitchell?
Was Public Safety Director Michael Huss doing anything to assist his overworked crews deal with this emergency?
Afterward, Public Safety Director Michael Huss is blaming the crews.
Apparently, Public Safety Director Michael Huss just does not have a clue.
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My other posts on the death of Curtis Mitchell –
City may discipline EMS workers – Public Safety Director Michael Huss – 02/18/10
Where Was Public Safety Director Michael Huss during the Death of Curtis Mitchell? – 02/20/10
Public Safety Director Michael Huss and Others Continue to Blame the Medics for the Snow – 02/22/10
The Need for Evidence Before Assessing Guilt – 02/24/10
Anonymous Comments on the Death of Curtis Mitchell – 03/02/10
Podcasting, Critical Judgment, and the Death of Curtis Mitchell Part I – 03/22/10
Podcasting, Critical Judgment, and the Death of Curtis Mitchell Part II – 03/22/10
Podcasting, Critical Judgment, and the Death of Curtis Mitchell Part III – 03/22/10
What kind of punishment do you get for NOT disobeying dispatch? – 03/23/10
The Scapegoats Will Be Punished – 03/23/10
Pittsburgh – Punishment, not Planning – 03/24/10
Josie Dimon was the Scapegoat of Public Safety Director Michael Huss in the Death of Curtis Mitchell – 02/16/11
Michael Huss – Pittsburgh EMS Only Needs Someone Good With a Shovel – 02/16/11
Links updated 02/16/11.
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Footnotes:
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[1] City may discipline EMS workers – Man died at home despite repeated calls to 911 during snowstorm
Thursday, February 18, 2010
By Sadie Gurman,
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Article
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2 Medical Call Review for 5161 Chaplain Way 2/6/2010
Ron Roth, MD Final 2/15/10
Medical Director, City of Pittsburgh, Department of Public Safety
Medical Director, Allegheny County Emergency Operations Center
Free Full Text
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