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http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11213468
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A 3-year-old's death has the City of Columbia and Richland County making bold statements.
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts says Jaden Myers-Pugh died Sept. 17 of swine flu complicated by sickle cell anemia.
The chaplain for the fire department, Michael Bingham, says firefighters were not able to help drive the ambulance Myers-Pugh was in because of a Richland County Emergency Medical Services policy.
The fire department responded Monday afternoon.
"Public statements made by a few individuals who are associated with our department regarding this incident do not reflect the official views of the Columbia Fire Department or the City of Columbia," said Columbia Fire Department Chief Bradley Anderson. "We do not condone these statements."
Anderson says the fire department is conducting an investigation into the incident.
Myers-Pugh's death has re-ignited debate over a WIS News 10 investigation that started in 2007.
It's about an EMS policy that says when an ambulance responds and both medics are working on a patient, they have to wait for a back-up ambulance driver to take them to the hospital even if a firefighter is already on scene.
Bingham says he was watching when we questioned the policy back in 2007.
"I confess it dropped off my radar screen and I know it dropped off the public's," said Bingham.
When Myers-Pugh died, he said it all came back to him. He says firefighters were so traumatized by what happened, he was called in for counseling.
"I don't think guilt was the feeling at the scene, more anger," said Bingham.
Anger he says that even if paramedics are tied up, they can't help drive.
The county, who oversees EMS says its their policy, nut they are not the ones who have the power to change it.
Stephany Snowden with the county says they have not been approached by city officials to make that change.
"Richland County does not manage the fire department, therefore we do not dictate to city personnel," said Snowden.
The chaplain goes further, saying relationship between the fire department and EMS is like a sibling rivalry.
"Their relationship is maybe dysfunctional," said Bingham. "They don't talk to each other."
Snowden defends EMS and denies any sort of rivalry.
"The county has a tremendous respect for the fire department and I don't believe that would be accurate to say that there is a rival or that we're unwilling or uncooperative to work together," said Snowden.
Bingham says he knows he's risking it all by bringing up the subject.
"You can see people's lives are shattered," said Bingham. "It tears at your soul."
Eighteen months later, the county says its all just a matter of asking.
"I'm quite certain if the city administrator contacted the county administrator about this issue, I know are folks are on board," said Snowden.
Chief Anderson says he'll be reviewing the statements Bingham has released.
As for Jaden Myers-Pugh's family, their lawyer did not answer the question if a lawsuit would be forthcoming, but said they are looking at their options.
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - A 3-year-old's death has the City of Columbia and Richland County making bold statements.
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts says Jaden Myers-Pugh died Sept. 17 of swine flu complicated by sickle cell anemia.
The chaplain for the fire department, Michael Bingham, says firefighters were not able to help drive the ambulance Myers-Pugh was in because of a Richland County Emergency Medical Services policy.
The fire department responded Monday afternoon.
"Public statements made by a few individuals who are associated with our department regarding this incident do not reflect the official views of the Columbia Fire Department or the City of Columbia," said Columbia Fire Department Chief Bradley Anderson. "We do not condone these statements."
Anderson says the fire department is conducting an investigation into the incident.
Myers-Pugh's death has re-ignited debate over a WIS News 10 investigation that started in 2007.
It's about an EMS policy that says when an ambulance responds and both medics are working on a patient, they have to wait for a back-up ambulance driver to take them to the hospital even if a firefighter is already on scene.
Bingham says he was watching when we questioned the policy back in 2007.
"I confess it dropped off my radar screen and I know it dropped off the public's," said Bingham.
When Myers-Pugh died, he said it all came back to him. He says firefighters were so traumatized by what happened, he was called in for counseling.
"I don't think guilt was the feeling at the scene, more anger," said Bingham.
Anger he says that even if paramedics are tied up, they can't help drive.
The county, who oversees EMS says its their policy, nut they are not the ones who have the power to change it.
Stephany Snowden with the county says they have not been approached by city officials to make that change.
"Richland County does not manage the fire department, therefore we do not dictate to city personnel," said Snowden.
The chaplain goes further, saying relationship between the fire department and EMS is like a sibling rivalry.
"Their relationship is maybe dysfunctional," said Bingham. "They don't talk to each other."
Snowden defends EMS and denies any sort of rivalry.
"The county has a tremendous respect for the fire department and I don't believe that would be accurate to say that there is a rival or that we're unwilling or uncooperative to work together," said Snowden.
Bingham says he knows he's risking it all by bringing up the subject.
"You can see people's lives are shattered," said Bingham. "It tears at your soul."
Eighteen months later, the county says its all just a matter of asking.
"I'm quite certain if the city administrator contacted the county administrator about this issue, I know are folks are on board," said Snowden.
Chief Anderson says he'll be reviewing the statements Bingham has released.
As for Jaden Myers-Pugh's family, their lawyer did not answer the question if a lawsuit would be forthcoming, but said they are looking at their options.
