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Nov. 22--ALAMEDA -- A state agency that regulates paramedics has dismissed complaints that some members of the public filed over the Memorial Day death of Raymond Zack, who committed suicide off Crown Beach while emergency workers remained onshore, city officials announced Monday.
The complaints alleged that paramedics could not resuscitate the 52-year-old Zack due to equipment failure, that a paramedic was working at the scene in violation of his probation, and that another paramedic who was not there covered for that individual by filing an incident report.
Michael Smith, the chief enforcement officer for the Emergency Medical Services Authority, said he found no merit in any of the allegations in a Nov. 10 letter to Donna Mooney, acting city attorney for Alameda.
The names of the individuals who filed the four complaints were not disclosed.
Zack, whose family said he suffered from depression, waded into San Francisco Bay before dozens of onlookers and drowned as police and firefighters stayed on the beach.
Firefighters said they did not enter the water because they were not certified in land-water rescue and did not have a boat that could maneuver in the shallow waters. Police said they did not go in because Zack was suicidal and possibly violent.
An independent investigation into the incident recommended additional firefighter training -- including with the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies -- and better internal communication, especially at emergencies where mutual aid is requested.
Since Zack's death, at least 21 Alameda firefighters have undergone training as rescue swimmers and two shallow water rescue boats have been put into service.
Zack's family are currently suing the city, maintaining more could have been done to save him.
