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Volunteer firefighters suspended for transporting gravely ill toddler in fire truck reinstated Volunteer firefighters suspended for transporting gravely ill toddler in fire truck reinstated
(about 1 hour later)
Two volunteer firefighters in Stafford County who were suspended for transporting a gravely ill toddler to a hospital in a firetruck — instead of waiting for an ambulance -- were reinstated Monday, a day after their story unleashed a wave of criticism. Two volunteer firefighters in Stafford County put on leave for transporting a gravely ill toddler to a hospital in a firetruck — instead of waiting for an ambulance — were reinstated Monday, a day after their story unleashed a wave of criticism.
The temporary suspension of the two firefighters, lauded by the family of the 18-month-old, came to symbolize a slavish adherence to policy over common sense. But Stafford County officials said in a hastily-called press conference Monday afternoon that they were reinstating Capt. James Kelley and Sgt. Virgil Bloom to the Falmouth Volunteer Fire Department. The temporary suspension of the two firefighters, who were lauded by the family of the 18-month-old girl, came to symbolize a slavish adherence to bureaucratic guidelines over decisive action during an emergency. But Stafford County officials said in a hastily-called news conference Monday afternoon that they were reinstating Capt. James Kelley and Sgt. Virgil Bloom to the Falmouth Volunteer Fire Department.
The county’s fire chief Mark Lockhart said a review of the Feb. 27 incident found that the firefighters did not follow department protocol but conceded “there are situations that dictate decisions must be made on the fly.” The county’s fire chief Mark Lockhart said a review of the Feb. 27 incident found that the firefighters did not follow department protocol, but conceded “there are situations that dictate decisions must be made on the fly.”
“We did find that department protocol was not followed and that will be addressed with the individuals involved,” Lockhart said.“We did find that department protocol was not followed and that will be addressed with the individuals involved,” Lockhart said.
On Monday, a Facebook page calling for the firefighters to be reinstated had 7.500 likes and the mayor of a town close to the firehouse — who was not involved in the decision — said she had received e-mails from all over the country. On Monday, a Facebook page calling for the firefighters to be reinstated had 7,500 likes and the mayor of a town close to the firehouse — who was not involved in the decision — said she had received critical e-mails from all over the country.
Kelley and Bloom are part of the Falmouth fire department, a mostly volunteer firehouse that is overseen by Stafford County’s professional fire chief. In a sign that tension still exists, Lockhart said that he had offered to meet with the Falmouth station’s chief and the previously suspended firefighters but they declined. Both Kelley, a paid D.C. firefighter, and Bloom are part of the Falmouth fire department, a mostly volunteer firehouse that is overseen by Stafford County’s professional fire chief. In a sign that tension still exists, Lockhart said Monday that he had offered to meet with the Falmouth station’s chief and the previously suspended firefighters but they declined.
“It’s been a trying eight days but I’m glad they’re back,” Christopher Smith, the chief of Falmouth’s volunteer unit, said in an interview.
“I’m just happy to be back in the firehouse and run calls,” Kelley said by phone from the firehouse Monday evening, at the start of a shift. He said supporters had planned to hold a rally at the firehouse at 7 p.m. Monday.
Lockhart said the reason the Feb. 27 incident came under review was because it was “highly unusual” to transport a patient in a firetruck.Lockhart said the reason the Feb. 27 incident came under review was because it was “highly unusual” to transport a patient in a firetruck.
“The care that was provided was not in question,” he said. “The question was the decision to transport the patient in a fire trick.” “The care provided to the patient was not the question,” he said. “Our focus has been on the decision to transport the patient in the fire truck.”
Kelley, the officer in charge, was one of two firefighters who arrived on the scene first after a father called 911 to report his 18-month-old daughter was having seizures. When Kelley arrived, the girl, Lena Nunamaker, was motionless and blue. Kelley, the officer in charge, was one of two firefighters who arrived on the scene first after a father called 911 to report his 18-month-old daughter was having seizures in the car while he was out running errands. When Kelley arrived, the girl, Lena Nunamaker, was motionless and blue.
Kelley, who had gotten imprecise information about the exact location from responding medics, decided to put Lena in the back of the firetruck and transport her to Mary Washington Hospital. Kelley, who had gotten imprecise information about the exact location of responding medics, decided to put Lena in the back of the firetruck and transport her to Mary Washington Hospital. He laid her across a row of bucket seats, put an oxygen mask on her and stood next to her.
At the time, Lockhart said, a life support ambulance was 1.7 miles away and would have arrived in 3-4 minutes, he said. At the time Kelley decided to take Lena in the truck, Lockhart said, a life support ambulance was 1.7 miles away and would have arrived in 3 to 4 minutes. He said he did not know if that delay would have made a difference. Lena’s father, Brian Nunamaker, said in a statement Sunday that neurologists had told him that a quick response is critical when treating seizures.
Lockhart also said the officer in charge at the scene, Kelley, was not certified to provide basic life support in Virginia but called that “largely an administrative matter” because Kelley had a national certification. Neither firefighter had approval, however, from the county’s medical director to provide care, Lockhart said. Lockhart on Monday also said Kelley was not certified to provide basic life support in Virginia but called that “largely an administrative matter” because Kelley had a national certification. Neither firefighter had approval, however, from the county’s medical director to provide care, Lockhart said.
Kelley said Sunday that he stood by his decision and the chief of the Falmouth unit, also a volunteer, said he supported him. Lena’s father, David Nunamaker, said Sunday that Kelley and Bloom “simply had the best interests of our daughter’s care in mind,” and called them “heroes.” The incident is still under review by the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Emergency Medical Services but a spokeswoman said Monday such a review can take up to 30 to 45 days. Among the possible results of a state investigation into emergency medical responses are a verbal warning, a written citation, and suspension. The state can also take no action if there’s not enough evidence of a state violation.
Lena’s father said Sunday that Kelley and Bloom “simply had the best interests of our daughter’s care in mind,” and called them “heroes.”