Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat walked city councilors through the process the department followed reviewing the actions of firefighter/EMTs who responded to the Tyre Nichols beating on Jan. 7.
Sweat told the city council that firefighters were initially told they were told to a pepper spray incident when they answered the call. But when firefighter/EMTs arrived at the scene they failed to adequately assess Nichols condition.
Sweat said the firefighter/EMTs were removed from active duty before the department had access to the video of the incident based upon preliminary investigation into the incident.
The department did not have official access to the video before it was released to the public by the city on a Friday evening. The disciplinary proceedings for the firefighter/EMTs were scheduled for the following Monday.
Sweat said there has been training within the department about the proper response to calls involving patients in police custody and individual accountability for following policy.
Two EMTs and a lieutenant were fired after the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police. Five officers face criminal charges in the case.
