A bill passed the Oklahoma Senate after an Oklahoma City fire major was demoted for transporting an injured child on a pumper because of a delayed ambulance arrival.
Fire Maj. Corey Britt responded to a 3-year-old girl who sustained critical burns in January 2021 and with an extended delay from the EMSA ambulance, Britt transported the child to the hospital on a fire apparatus.
Fire officials said he was demoted for breaking fire department policy, according to KFOR.com.
After the incident made national headlines, Oklahoma Sen. Darrell Weaver, (R-Moore) filed a Senate Bill to protect first responders.
SB 1515, which will be in effect Nov. 1, allows a certified emergency medical response agency to provide limited transport in an emergency vehicle after receiving the approval of appropriate medical control.
“The child’s parents were extremely grateful for the firefighter’s actions, but under the current law, he didn’t have the authority to take the patient to the hospital,” Weaver told the television station. “SB 1515 ensures important protocols will be followed, but allows flexibility in limited emergency situations. I appreciate the tremendous support we received in both chambers and from the governor for this legislation.”
“Allowing emergency vehicles other than ambulances to transport someone to the hospital in an emergency situation or during a disaster – when every moment counts – will save lives and improve medical response times,” Rep. Mike Osburn told KFOR.com.
