Some members of the community are reacting to the death of a Rochester man following an incident with an American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance last year.
Faith leaders gathered on Thursday in Rochester to speak out about what took place, where the leader of United Christian Leadership Ministry, Dr. Dwight Fowler, did not hold back.
"This action that they engaged in was literally ruthless, dehumanizing, despicable, insidious, discriminatory, prejudiced, egregious, immoral and most definitely unacceptable," said Fowler.
Video footage of the incident appears to show a man saying he was having trouble breathing and at one point being asked to allegedly leave the ambulance back on Nov. 30, 2023 by someone on scene that, at this time, has not been clearly identified.
In the footage, Rochester Police are present. An EMT also appears to discuss the man allegedly jumping at the ambulance crew earlier.
According to Mayor Malik Evans, the man was asked to get out of the ambulance and wait on the side of the street for another ambulance to arrive to take him to the hospital. The man then appears to fall to the ground. Evans says two minutes passed before the man received medical care.
Now, Fowler and other faith leaders are calling for the immediate removal of the first responders on the scene from their positions.
“These EMTs and the police officers, who are equally responsible for conducting themselves in this egregious manner, should be immediately disallowed to continue to function in their current position in Rochester, New York, affectionately known as the ‘Frederick Douglass City,’" said Fowler.
The Locust Club, the union representing Rochester’s police officers, is also responding, releasing this statement to Spectrum News 1:
"In the early morning hours of November 30, 2023. RPD was dispatched to assist AMR ambulance personnel with an uncooperative patient. Upon arrival, officers were advised by AMR personnel that the patient onboard the ambulance had made physical contact with one of the EMTs and they wanted him removed from the ambulance. An officer spoke with the individual, and at the instruction of AMR personnel, asked the patient to disembark from the ambulance. The patient cooperated with this request and stepped down from the ambulance by his own power and sat down on a concrete bench. Up to this point, the patient was able to communicate with the RPD officers on scene and was in no apparent distress.
A short time later he slumped over and laid down on the sidewalk. RPD officers were able to hear the patient snoring and observed his back rise and fall. Within a matter of seconds, officers advised the AMR personnel on scene of the patient being on the ground. A short time later, the AMR personnel came over to the patient to check on his condition and noticed that he was no longer conscious and in need of medical attention. AMR personnel then began to render aid to the patient at that time. The RPD officers present remained on scene but, as at all times during this incident, AMR personnel had primary responsibility for the medical care of the patient.
It is the Locust Club’s understanding that the patient was transported to Rochester General Hospital at the time of the incident and remained hospitalized until his unfortunate passing on December 15, 2023. The Locust Club wishes to convey our sympathy to the patient’s family and friends at his passing.
The RPD officers on scene at the time of the incident conducted themselves in compliance with RPD policies concerning medical situations for which AMR has primary responsibility. In regards to the incident on November 30th, the role of the officers on scene was to investigate the report of an uncooperative patient and make sure that the AMR personnel on scene were safe and secure to carry out their duties. None of the RPD Officers on scene on November 30th were trained EMTs, and as such deferred to the expertise and direction of the AMR personnel on scene.
The Locust Club will provide further information as developments warrant."
Last week, an AMR spokesperson released a statement to Spectrum News 1, saying:
"With respect to the City of Rochester's January 11th press conference about a November 30, 2023 incident. We reached out to the family and do not have permission to speak about the details of this incident due to patient privacy laws. We viewed the video for the first time yesterday and have launched an internal investigation. We have also requested an investigation by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems."
On Friday, Jan. 19, Global Medical Response representing AMR, issued a statement, saying the crew involved in the incident have been on administrative leave:
"American Medical Response (AMR) extends our deepest condolences to the family of the patient involved in the event that occurred on November 30, 2023.
AMR recognizes the complex healthcare challenges that vulnerable populations in our communities face. We understand that we cannot fully resolve these challenges in isolation, which is why we are committed to engaging with the community, faith leaders, and our partners in care to enhance the quality and safety of the services we provide for the Rochester community.
We are taking immediate action to address the community’s concerns and frustration regarding this event. While patient privacy laws limit our ability to discuss the specific details of the incident, we have taken several steps in line with our commitment to transparency and accountability.
Within 24 hours of viewing the city’s body camera video footage of the incident, AMR independently contacted the New York State Department of Health Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems and requested a formal investigation. Their team started gathering information and conducting interviews with all involved AMR employees on January 16. We were told that their investigation could take up to 90 days to complete. Additionally, the City of Rochester is conducting an independent investigation, and we have a direct and ongoing line of communication with City leadership.
The crew involved in the November 30 incident remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of all investigations. We are working closely with SEIU Local 200 to ensure the investigative process is thorough, respecting all the guidelines set forth in our collective bargaining agreement.
Internally, AMR’s national patient safety team is conducting a detailed review of the event and is evaluating our operational protocols, policies, procedures, and training, along with human factors. This review began on January 17. At its conclusion, we will promptly implement the necessary changes. We remain unwavering in our commitment to the Rochester community and are focused on continuous improvement to provide the highest quality of care and support for all those we serve."
