WASHINGTON — A probationary firefighter who was initially blamed when an elderly man died after being denied treatment across the street from a D.C. fire station has been ordered to undergo remedial training.
The Washington Post reported that Remy Jones, who was two months out of the academy when the incident involving Medric “Cecil” Mills Jr. occurred in January, was also suspended without pay for one 24-hour shift.
Mills, 77, collapsed of an apparent heart attack near the fire station, but Jones told his daughter firefighters couldn’t respond until someone called 911 and they were dispatched. A D.C. police officer flagged down a passing ambulance, but Mills died hours later at a hospital.
Mills’ death sparked a review that found lax discipline and complacency in the station, shifting blame from Jones to others, including Lt. Kellene Davis, the station’s highest-ranking firefighter, and a firefighter who retired to his bunk to read instead of helping, according to the report.
Lt. Davis was allowed to retire before being demoted and the firefighter reading his book was suspended for 60 hours without pay. Another was given a reprimand and a third was cleared, according to the report.
Jones, assigned that day to the watch desk, told investigators he didn’t know how to respond when people came to the fire station seeking help. Other firefighters blamed miscommunication, and Jones said another firefighter told him he couldn’t help Mills without being dispatched, according to the report.