Three (3) Memphis firefighters Terminated re: Nicols case 1/30/23

Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
1,190
The Lt cannot be the driver. In Memphis, the Lt is the company officer. She likely stayed with the rig as the chauffeur and firefighter left the rig to check the patient. I would really like to know why they didn't initiate care?
 
Joined
Sep 7, 2020
Messages
1,539
According to MFD official statement (below) the Engine boss, the Lieutenant never left the cab of the engine to be with her crew. Wow! Great leadership !

 
Joined
Sep 7, 2020
Messages
1,539
The Lt cannot be the driver. In Memphis, the Lt is the company officer. She likely stayed with the rig as the chauffeur and firefighter left the rig to check the patient. I would really like to know why they didn't initiate care?
It appears that it was a four person crew. The two jumpseat firefighters apparently went to the patient. The chauffeur stayed and rightly so stayed with the apparatus. The apparently lazy Lieutenant failed to be a leader and failed to leave the cab at all. Pulling up to the scene with all those cops present and a request for EMS, the company officer should at the bare minimum go with the crew to ensure their safety, watch their back, laision with PD, that’s what leaders do.
 
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
1,190
It appears that it was a four person crew. The two jumpseat firefighters apparently went to the patient. The chauffeur stayed and rightly so stayed with the apparatus. The apparently lazy Lieutenant failed to be a leader and failed to leave the cab at all. Pulling up to the scene with all those cops present and a request for EMS, the company officer should at the bare minimum go with the crew to ensure their safety, watch their back, laision with PD, that’s what leaders do.
That was exactly my thought regarding the company officer.
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
Seems like MFD dispatch system did not work well.

8:31 MPD call for medical assistance (for a pepper spray victim)
8:32 E 55 dispatched
8:41 E 55 at incident scene (after discussion and redirect from MPD)
8:46 EMS unit dispatched
8:55 EMS unit arrived

In addition to alleged duty failures, why did it take 15 minutes for an EMS unit (BLS or ALS?) to be dispatched, arriving 24 minutes after initial request from police? Seems like there should have been more medical assets for treatment and transport.
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
According to MFD official statement (below) the Engine boss, the Lieutenant never left the cab of the engine to be with her crew. Wow! Great leadership !


Basic leadership principle - "You can't lead from the rear."
 
Joined
Jun 27, 2017
Messages
989
MFD dispatch probably working as designed.

1) MFD may have an EMS dispatch protocol that sends an engine to a call where transport is not expected.
example: patient fell out of bed; patient pepper sprayed by police and in custody

2) As a fallback step during peak demand and/or where an available ambulance is a long distance away,

At 1309 hours CST Houston FD Engines 46 and 27, Ladder 75 on EMS events by themselves.
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431
MFD dispatched only one BLS engine crew with limited EMS capability and no transport capability to a very serious incident. The dispatch system for this incident, did not work - either per design or not per design.

Dispatch systems typically sort out if an incident is BLS or ALS, but cannot determine in advance if transport is "expected" or "not expected" - whatever that means. A fall out of bed, or any fall, can be ALS or BLS. Same with taser or pepper spray - ALS or BLS. Additional injuries to suspect and POs, requiring assessment, treatment and possible transport should have been part of dispatching decision process. This was a very serious incident - more than a BLS engine company's capability.
 

mack

Administrator
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
13,431

1675239525112.png

‘Remember what you witnessed’: Memphis is a wake-up call for the entire fire service​

I know Memphis Fire, and while the inactions of three members should not reflect on the entire FD, we must learn from these fatal errors


 
Top