The Springfield Township board of trustees terminated two paramedics who, in January, wrongfully declared an overdose victim as deceased.
Following an executive session at the April 2 meeting, the trustees voted unanimously to terminate William Fordyce and Aiden Yoon for incorrectly declaring a woman dead after they were unable to detect a pulse. They subsequently contacted the coroner’s office, who arrived after paramedics left and discovered the victim attempting to breathe.
She was subsequently revived after being administered multiple cans of narcan.
The vote to end their employment with the township came after investigator R. Kent Murphree, appointed by the trustees, presented the board with his report.
The report includes interviews with both men, a member of the coroner’s office and a fellow firefighter who was at the station when the men returned.
The investigation also included analysis of body camera footage from the scene as well as consultation with an expert in emergency medical training, concluded that both paramedics failed to follow basic procedures before declaring the patient deceased, said Mike Hampton, administrator.
Mr. Murphree wrote that based on his findings “Mr. Yoon’s version of the facts are not credible.”
He also noted that Mr. Fordyce’s statement contradicted the coroner’s report regarding the patient’s condition. The firefighter/EMT described the woman as “cool to the touch,” while the coroner said she was “warm to the touch.”
The investigator’s concluded that their actions constitute a “neglect of duty as it relates to patient care, incompetency and/or grossly negligent or willful breach of” Standard Operating Procedures.”
Mr. Murphree believes Mr. Yoon “was not forthright with his interview or in his written statement. He also seemed less than contrite for his actions.
He bases the lack of contrition on an interview with firefighter Shelbie Flegal who reported that the day of the incident the men returned to the station and joked about the fact that they had caused a person to be declared deceased, but who was not.
She said that at the very next shift, Mr. Yoon spoke to her regarding another run, ‘what, you don’t trust me to take a pulse.’
The investigator also noted that Mr. Fordyce’s version of what occurred in his written statement and interview did not coincide with the evidence.
Mr. Murphree concluded, “I recommend termination of their employment with the STFD.”
Mr. Hampton expressed regret over the incident. “This terrible situation was completely avoidable. Our investigation uncovered numerous discrepancies between what these former paramedics claimed happened and what police body camera footage and other evidence showed,” he said, adding, “Given the facts, the trustees felt strongly there was no way these two paramedics could continue to effectively serve residents.”
The trustees made no decision on the status of the fire chief or assistant chief.
Chief Barry Cousino and Assistant Chief Dave Moore were placed on administrative leave following the incident.
Although neither the chief nor assistant chief was present at the scene, they remain on leave while an investigation is conducted to determine whether proper policies, procedures and chains of command were adhered to in the days following the incident.
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Authorized Mr. Hampton to send a letter to the Swanton Township trustees asking them to renegotiate an agreement that was initiated January 1, 2017, for fire and EMS services.
When the agreement was initiated, advanced life support services was a countywide service, he explained, noting that now the township is responsible for ALS response for the west region including Swanton Township.
The additional coverage area does not align with what was intended in 2017, Mr. Hampton said.
•Awarded crack sealing of township roads to Buck Brothers Asphalt Paving and Concrete for $78,850. The township’s portion will be $30,000 with Lucas County engineer’s office picking up the remainder of the cost.
•Approved a solid waste management plan with Lucas County.
•Renewed the workers’ compensation contract with Sedgwick at an annual cost of $7,135.
•Opted not to request a hearing for a liquor license transfer to a new owner at Fore Golfers, 7350 Airport Highway.
•Paid bills from March 20 to April 2 of $113,579. They also paid electronic bills from March 15 to 28 totaling $252,555, including the biweekly payroll of $226,759.
The next trustees meeting will be at 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 16 in the township meeting hall, 7617 Angola Road, and is open to the public.
~Jane Maiolo
