“We don’t transport patients,” said Fire Chief Richard Kelley
FirefighterNation Staff
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma – KFOR reports that a disciplinary hearing was held Friday for an Oklahoma City Fire Department Major who transported a young burn patient to a hospital in his fire engine after having waited at least 20 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.
Firefighters with knowledge of the disciplinary action told KFOR that Major Corey Britt had been relieved of his role as a Senior Company Officer at Station 34.
“We don’t transport patients,” Oklahoma City Fire Chief Richard Kelley told KFOR. “That’s not our job.”
Chief Kelley says the initial complaint came from EMSA, the emergency service that was over 20 minutes late to the call.
The parents of the child that was burned are forever grateful for Britt’s decision.
Cameron Weems, the President of Oklahoma City Firefighters Local 157, released the following statement:
“In light of recent events concerning the discipline on an OKC Fire Department member in regard to transporting a pediatric burn victim to the hospital, Local 157 stood in full support of him during his investigation. While his actions would not be considered routine, Major Corey Britt gave to the department the reasoning behind his decision. Unfortunately, obstacles arising from both COVID-19 and staffing on transport vehicles has caused issues with longer-than-normal wait times for patients on scene of an emergency. Going forward, this Local looks forward to productive conversations with all parties involved to find remedies to this issue. In doing so we will be able to avoid putting our personnel in the unenviable position of trying to provide quality care while also being unsure when additional assistance will arrive in the form of a transport unit.”
