Story Archive

Value Judgment

Medical Squad Leader Stephen Sawyer, 20, was on-duty with the Ellenville (N.Y.) First Aid and Rescue Squad when he heard an emergency call. He was by himself, so he stayed put. A paramedic responded in a Quick Response Vehicle, and called for an ambulance for a serious patient — a 4-year-old boy. No other ambulances were available, and the next closest were 45 minutes away, so Sawyer, who also drives ambulances at another agency, as well as being a volunteer firefighter and reserve police officer, responded. He and the paramedic transported the boy without incident. A hero? Hardly: Squad policy says members have to be 21 to drive, and the board of directors voted 4–3 to suspend him for 60 days and “revoke his title” as advisor to the Youth Squad, which he started when he was 15. Sawyer resigned on the spot. “People shouldn’t have to suffer over policy,” he said. “There’s no value in this story other than shock value and gossip,” complained Squad Capt. John Gavaris, who is also on the board. “This is the type of story that the public doesn’t need to be told.” (RC/Middletown Times Herald-Record) ...Or, to translate, “The public has no interest in public safety.”
Original Publication Date: 29 December 2013
This story is in True’s book collections, in Volume 20.

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