Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
The Chicago Fire Department said it was not acceptable for paramedics to leave a teen unattended after he was shot in the head and severely wounded as they treated others hit by gunfire at a party on the Near West Side this week.
Erin Carey, 17, was among six people who were shot after two cars circled a party in the University Village neighborhood around 4:50 a.m. Monday. A sheet was draped over his body exposing his bare arms, jean cuffs, and boots as paramedics tended to other victims. After about an hour, people at the edge of the crime scene noticed Carey’s arm and leg twitching. It was obvious he was breathing under the sheet.
Paramedics performed chest compressions and took him to Stroger Hospital in very critical condition with a catastrophic wound to the head. A bullet and some fragments were removed from the boy’s head while he was on life support. He was pronounced dead at 1:14 a.m. Tuesday, about 20 hours after he was shot. A 22-year-old woman was also killed, and four men were injured.
Five ambulances responded to multiple reports of victims at locations around the 1300 block of South Loomis Street. There was no shortage of ambulances at the time.
#1 by LFD 543 on June 25, 2018 - 7:53 PM
I am concerned about someone wanting retribution for this, and I blame the media for making me have these thoughts. I hope and pray that my fears are never realized.
#2 by rich s. on June 21, 2018 - 10:53 PM
Let’s not forget that this was a multiple shooting and once the police have the scene as a crime scene so once the victim is said to be dead the Fd probably no longer has access to the area . Also last I checked they don’t just take organs from people. You need to be a registered organ donor.
#3 by MABAS 21 on June 21, 2018 - 7:48 PM
Well said John! The typical fashion of the news media is to air/print one sided stories without accurately reporting factual information, without diligent research, and to, as said, “stir the pot.” Before opening their unprofessional, lacking common sense mouths, the media should have inquired with the CFD about operations at MCI incidents (triage) before making accusations towards the ambulance crews on scene, thus hanging them out to dry. And shame on the CFD for not offering a media briefing to explain this.
Dan, unless you were there, or know someone who was, please don’t make statements that speculate the crews didn’t reassess the deceased or confirm on the cardiac monitor that he was DOA because this only feeds misinformation to everyone, including the media and greedy attorneys.
#4 by Crabby Milton on June 21, 2018 - 5:19 PM
Exactly John. All of the money spent on the criminal pukes whereas they put them behind bars and then some judge turns him loose on whatever grounds only to offend again. Meanwhile, the cops hands are tied especially if the perps are minors or of a minority in terms of race so they have to second guess everything. So EMT’s can’t spend more time and resources on law abiding people who have emergency medical issues or injuries not related to any sort of violence.
Support our fire fighters, EMT’s and back the blue badge not coddle the criminals or criminal wanabee types.
#5 by Dan on June 21, 2018 - 3:25 PM
I think the media might have focused on the guy twitching and then not being for an hour and then weak but some vital signs.
It does look bad.
Yes, they should have triaged but they never came back to check for vital signs.
Would the guy die regardless? Probably, but perhaps the guy could have been saved for organ donation. I think from the initial triaged time to waiting an hour to double check is troubling.
#6 by John Antkowski on June 21, 2018 - 12:09 PM
The news media in this country is out of control, period!! Violence sells and television its a great medium to make trouble and stir up the pot. In my department; we operate from protocols and sogs/sops. I’m not arm chairing and neither should they. Fact is Multiple people injured at one scene are triaged and treated by severity of their injuries and viability of them surviving. Instead of criticizing the fire department and crucifying the meds instead being proactive and learning about the ems system so changes could be discussed and implemented and all parties involved could move forward in providing better patient care and better community relations for all. Let’s focus our anger and frustration with the perpetrators and not the people who provide the care. Sad times ? John
#7 by Old Timer on June 21, 2018 - 10:48 AM
It’s great being an old timer. These same jackass news papers and politicians after the night club incident where people were crushed and killed they were protesting the triage tags the dead people had black tags. They thought they were just marking and leaving black people there.
It easy to blame the guys on the street.
Where is Dr. ZYDLO WHEN WE NEED HIM may he rest in peace.
#8 by rich s. on June 21, 2018 - 9:16 AM
Scott, I appreciate THIS page and I understand that You are not the author of said article it’s clear it was a Tribune article. My frustration is in general “Monday morning QB” stuff, and uninformed news put out to create issues. The real issue is that shootings and gang violence in the city are out of control! OUT OF CONTROL! and for the media to put an article like this one out is irresponsible. It creates major issues between the community and the fire department and more importantly it causes issues for the two medics who had to make split second triage decisions in order to give the best care to the most viable patients. How ever the fire department doesn’t say this they instead react to media pressure and discipline the medics. disgusting!! This was not directed twords you or, the page rather the actual article and reaction by the Fire Department.
#9 by Chuck on June 21, 2018 - 12:42 AM
City’s probably writing the I.R.’s for the medics and the check to the family even as we speak.
#10 by Scott on June 20, 2018 - 11:22 PM
This page just pasted a Tribune article. “This” page did not incite or start this. “This” page is just a rebroadcast of information. (I am NOT connected to Chicago Area Fire’s blog).
#11 by rich S. on June 20, 2018 - 9:00 PM
It’s very disheartening to me to see this written on this page stating there was no shortage of ambulances at the time. The protocol in the city of Chicago is start triage which is what the ambulance did the individual had to catastrophic gunshot wound to the head with brain matter exposed there were other patients that were critical and viable at the time of triage that’s why he was covered as expectant . It’s also very disheartening that Chicago Fire Fighters Cower to the news media instead of informing them of our protocols and protecting our members