Muncie Fire and EMS is under investigation by multiple agencies amid allegations of cheating on EMS exams.
“This upsets me greatly that some individuals could or did possibly cheat because we have a lot of good people, and by proxy all of us have to pay for this,” Muncie Fire Chief Robert Mead told a WTHR reporter.
The probes were initiated after it came to light that EMTs and firefighters were given actual basic and advanced certification test questions and answers.
“I was notified by National Registry of EMTs that they were opening an investigation into several members of our department. I hope the allegations come back as unfounded, that we are exonerated from this. But if it goes the other way, we’ll deal with it as whatever the outcome is," the chief said.
“Protecting the public is paramount, and we began investigating these allegations as soon as they were brought to our attention,” said Bill Seifarth, CEO and executive director of the National Registry. “We want to ensure that EMS candidates have fairly taken their certification examinations and that their individual knowledge and skills are appropriately measured.”
Former and current Muncie personnel stepped up to reporters what's been going on.
“I know what’s going on is wrong. I can’t sit back and watch it happen any longer. I actually think we’re letting down the citizens. This is life and death that we’re talking about," the staff member told a reporter.
Another explained: “Those students, as soon as they get back from taking their exams, are confronted and asked to remember any questions they had. They developed a question bank of nearly 500 questions for the EMT and Advanced EMT classes. So as soon as our new hires come in, they’re able to just memorize those questions and go in and get their certifications.”
The names of the four interviewed were not used.
The station obtained documents to back up the allegations including one that showed dozens of test questions and answers – or where to find the correct answers – that was allegedly emailed or texted to EMT students prior to their exams.
Also, they received a copy of a separate text message allegedly sent by the high-ranking MFD member. “Do not tell anyone I shared with you… The more you KNOW the material, the better recall you will have afterwards to remember questions.”
State EMS Director Kraig Kinney said of the accusations: “When we hear about possible cheating, we occasionally get an accusation of one or two persons, but rarely do we hear that an entire system or department might be involved, We are investigating both individuals and the department as a whole. The question is, are these individuals acting inappropriately at an individual level or on behalf of the department? So the department itself is also part of the investigation.”
Since firefighters stand accused, the state fire marshal also is involved. “There’s no shortcuts in becoming a firefighter. There’s no shortcuts in becoming a paramedic or EMT. It takes hundreds and thousands of hours to develop these professionals,” said State Fire Marshal Steve Jones. "“Integrity is everything."
