OSWEGO -- The New York State Health Department has cited 39 members of the Oswego City Fire Department for the manner in which they handled ambulance calls and patients.
According to Health Department spokesman Jeffrey Hammond, the department sent "warning letters" to each of the 39 emergency medical technicians and ambulance personnel. A copy of one letter supplied to CNY Central says that its investigation "substantiated" allegations that they "failed to properly file prehospital care reports (PCRs) for patient encounters" on numerous occasions.
Hammond says the warnings will become a significant factor in determining disciplinary action "if we have another complaint."
In January, CNY Central's Jim Kenyon exposed complaints that the Fire Department's ambulance service had allegedly refused to transport patients. During the investigation, two Emergency Medical Technicians lost their licenses to transport patients.
Hammond says that the Health Department investigation into individual members of the Oswego Fire Department has concluded, but the broader investigation into the department as a whole is ongoing.
Contacted by phone, Oswego Fire Chief Jeff McCrobie said he "nothing is totally complete" and he would "not comment until all the investigations are concluded."
McCrobie added that he will discuss the investigation publicly when the probe is done.
