help with EMS laws in NY

[MARY016]

I don't want to go into too many details here but an EMT in our fire dept. has stolen some money and I was told the dept. should advise the Dept. of Health on this matter. Something like moral terpetude? (May not be spelled correctly) Do they need to be convicted of the crime? Or is being punished by the dept. enough.Is it in the protocols? What happens when/if they are reported?

[latigo]

I would contact your rep. with the governing body, in IA, that is the IA Bureau of EMS. They would know, and are there to help.

On a similiar vein, I hope you are prosecuting this bum. If it comes out that you "punished" him for stealing money from your group, and he moves and does it again, or steals from a Pt, you could very well be liable for damages because you knew his Hx, and did not prosecute, etc. He needs to get the book thrown at him.

[IAMedic]

I agree with Latigo.

But, I would also contact your local law enforcement first. They will get the ball rolling. Call them at once!!

[ufmedic]

You should report the matter to the police and let them investigate. Apparently no one seems to remember that a person is innocent until proven guilty. EMS (like many walks of life) in some departments is plauged by unprofessional backstabbing, gossiping, and lying about others to make the backstabber/gossiper/liar look good. If this person is guilty, law enforcement will investigate, he will be prosecuted, and THEN the EMS regulating agency in your state will have grounds to take disciplinary action. They can't go around revoking or suspending EMS providers simply because someone said that this person stole money. If he did in fact steal the money, then he can be prosecuted and punished, allowing his criminal record follow him to whatever dept he tries to go to in the future.
I'm not trying to be an advocate for criminals and I am not particularly a big fan of of law enforcement investigators and lawyers; however, I do belive that law is for the advocacy of the people.

[bushmaster]

I agree with 'ufmedic';Press charges and let the legal system do its job .A conviction will ( hopefully) keep the offender out of the
emergency services , and ,minimize the likelihood of any potential
litigation against your organization.

[Medic818]

MARY016:
You are not required to notify the DOH about his "sticky fingers" until there is a conviction. Once there is a conviction, HE is obligated to get a "clearance letter" from the DOH in order to maintain his certification.
Best bet (if your unsure), call your local DOH field office...They will be able to provide more information to you.
Just wait until he has to go through the clearance letter phase...Life SUCKS!!!