EMS1.com News

February 06, 2012

NYC cafe-death EMT still on city payroll

Case has been mired in motions and postponements

The New York Post

NEW YORK — The medic charged with misconduct for callously failing to help a dying pregnant woman is still banking city paychecks — more than two years after getting suspended from active duty.

Melisa Jackson, 25, has raked in about $39,000 annually since the death of Eutisha Rennix, on Dec. 9, 2009.

"She's still on restricted duty — no patient care," said FDNY spokesman Frank Dwyer. "We have to wait till the criminal case is done and see how that plays out."

While Jackson gets paid for doing clerical work and stacking office supplies, the Brooklyn DA's Office continues to build its case.

But for two years, that case has been mired in motions and postponements. Jackson's attorney, Benjamin Heinrich, is scheduled to be in court March 5 to ask for an adjournment.

Heinrich did not return calls from The Post.

Comments

The comments below are member-generated and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of EMS1.com or its staff.

Blythe Optimism Tuesday, February 07, 2012 11:05:18 AM She's NOT a medic.

Dee Rollins Tue Feb 7 11:51:31 PST 2012 People really don't know the.difference

Jake Stein Fri Feb 10 14:31:37 PST 2012 Define "medic". That is not the term listed on a Paramedic cert or license. It is a general term used by many and is often a catch all word.

Mike Jone Tuesday, February 07, 2012 1:50:42 PM Amy

Joe Tomaso Tuesday, February 07, 2012 9:00:52 PM true, she's not a medic and correct that the ordinary john q public doesn't know the difference, however this girl is a piece of work and doesn't deserve any title other than inmate. my heart goes out to the victims famiy as well as the men and women of FDNY EMS.

Melissa Tiede Hyde Wednesday, February 08, 2012 12:26:48 AM How is she not a medic?

Michael McClenon Wednesday, February 08, 2012 12:29:24 AM Why is this even news?

Mike Dazzo Wednesday, February 08, 2012 4:00:19 AM I thought she was a dispatcher?

Kelly Clark Thu Feb 9 20:34:37 PST 2012 In NYC dispatchers are still trained EMT's and Paramedics. So her being a diapatcher is no excuse

Vito Leone Wednesday, February 08, 2012 6:10:17 AM She was an EMT and most people have no.clue what an EMT is so medic sounds easier. Yes she was a dispatcher. It's news in NY because the media wants to make the public servant the evil money suckers of the city. How we do nothing for what we earn and can sit around and do nothing. While not say that its the legal system dragging there butts. The reason why the dept waits is it will be easier to fire her if she is convicted and losses her state certifications and then fire her for failure to maintain her certifications while not admitting to firing her for malace. Making the city legally and sueable for her inaction.

Andres Pedraza Wednesday, February 08, 2012 6:23:58 AM Didn't her scumbag partner get shot and killed last year? Street justice, huh? So she is only defendant at this point. I've known many like her in EMS, though thankfully a minority. They don't seem to have any calling, it's just a paycheck for them and as soon as thier shift ends they'd happily suspend CPR if it was in progress. Sad...

Jake Stein Friday, February 10, 2012 2:28:01 PM Bet the tax payers of NYC are happy to still be supporting her. Not. It is news because the public should know where their tax dollars are going. I bet she is not the only one who is drawing a salary on paid disciplinary leave. Some are "punished" for years will drawing a full salary and not working. A lot of EMTs also still defend her actions. The term medic is often used by EMTs all the time. Since an Army Medic is the equivalent of an EMT, some EMTs want to lay claim to the term also. It is no different with the "almost a Paramedic" Intermediates who just call themselves Paramedics. The term "medic" is a catch all for alot of medical levels. So if the term is misused by the media and lay people, you can usually find some in EMS who started tossing the term around or the many TV shows which regularly use the term to associate it with the hero role.