NEWS

Officials mum on report 2 EMTs denied transport to woman who died soon after

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 6/10/21

By JOHN HOWELL Apart from copies of emergency medical technician license suspension orders available on the Department of Health's website, officials are tightlipped as to any disciplinary actions taken against Warwick firefighters Brandon Colombo and

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NEWS

Officials mum on report 2 EMTs denied transport to woman who died soon after

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Apart from copies of emergency medical technician license suspension orders available on the Department of Health’s website, officials are tightlipped as to any disciplinary actions taken against Warwick firefighters Brandon Colombo and Michael Monteiro.

According to the orders, both dated March 4 and signed by Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, the department was informed March 1 that the two EMTs “had performed emergency medical services” on Feb. 10 for a 44-year old woman who died at Kent Hospital the same day.

The report goes on to say that “upon further investigation … it was discovered that” after arriving at the woman’s residence at 11:49 a.m., Monteiro and Colombo found the woman asleep. They checked her pulse and spoke with a nurse familiar with the woman’s medical issues.

“At no point during this assessment did Patient 1 (the woman) and Respondent (Monteiro and Colombo) have a conversation to establish her mental capacity.” The report reads that Monteiro and Colombo were advised that the patient experienced a seizure and “was urged by residents” to transport the woman to the hospital.

The report said the EMTs surmised the woman “was not in acute distress” and advised that there be follow up with the woman’s primary care physician if trouble recurred.

At that point the rescue left, but shortly thereafter a friend determined that the woman should be taken to the hospital. The friend took the woman to Kent arriving about 12:45 p.m.

The emergency staff at Kent diagnosed the woman as having tachycardia, an elevated heart rate, and after life-saving attempts she died at 2:20 p.m.

Since Channel 12 broke the news of the suspension of the EMT-C licenses of Colombo and Monteiro, the Beacon has been unable to obtain comment from either Fire Chief Peter McMichael of Mayor Frank Picozzi. Also, Elizabeth Wiens, attorney for the firefighters union, did not return calls. Furthermore, the outcome of a pre-conference hearing on the matter held Monday could not be determined from the DOH.

In an email, McMichael was asked a series of questions ranging from whether the department had been in contact with the family of the deceased to if the firefighters were still at work even though their EMT licenses had been suspended. McMichael referred all inquiries to the DOH. Picozzi said “no comment” to a similar set of questions.

Michael Carriero, president of IAFF Local 2748, referred questions to McMichael and Weins.

EMTs, rescue

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