Detroit EMT Ann Marie Thomas was fired Wednesday after she told her supervisor that "I'm not about to be on no scene 10 minutes doing CPR, you know how these families get."
Thomas and her partner were less than a mile away when she was dispatched to help an 8-month old girl after her mother called 911. The mom began CPR on her daughter, who was born premature and was on oxygen.
"33, I’m going to need you to make that scene," an EMS supervisor radioed to Thomas, according to ClickOnDetroit.com. "You’re going to have to make patient contact."
Six minutes later, she radioed: "33 is in position on Pembroke around the corner from the scene," Thomas radioed from her SUV unit.
The dispatcher provided a patient update: "Uh, Romeo 33? Updated information that the child is not breathing. The baby was hooked up to an oxygen machine because it was premature. Romeo 33?"
The radio traffic to Thomas continued with: "Romeo 33, Medic 51, be advised CPR is being performed on your scene. Romeo 33, Medic 51. CPR is being performed by the baby's mother."
The girl was eventually treated and taken to the hospital where she died the next day.
"EMT Thomas was immediately removed from duty following this incident," Detroit Fire Commissioner Edsel Jenkins said earlier. She appealed their decision.
"Today, we conducted an appeals hearing, which Ms. Thomas requested. After reviewing all of the facts of this incident, I have determined that the appropriate course of action is to terminate Ms. Thomas' employment with the Detroit Fire Department effective immediately," said Jenkins in a statement released Wednesday.
