Teen allegedly sexually assaulted by firefighter in ambulance
Firefighter reportedly removed the 17-year-old's clothing and fondled her while the two were alone in the back of the ambulance
By EMS1 Staff
RACINE, Wis. — A firefighter riding in an ambulance allegedly sexually assaulted a teenage patient en route to a Wis. hospital after suffering a seizure.
According to the Journal Times, Jodin D. Froeber of the Somers Fire Department reportedly removed the 17-year-old's clothing and fondled her while the two were alone in the back of the ambulance.
The girl was exhausted, the complaint said, from both the seizure and the medication given to her, leaving her unable to move or open her eyes during the alleged assault.
Froeber was responding to the call and the only caregiver with the girl in the ambulance.
He has been charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault.
Department staff said that Froeber was still employed with the department.
Comments
The comments below are member-generated and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of EMS1.com or its staff. If you cannot see comments, try disabling privacy and ad blocking plugins in your browser.
Meri B. Kassner Friday, August 17, 2012 2:06:58 PM It's assholes like this that give our profession a bad name. If he did do what he is charged with I hope he is fired, his certification is taken away and he never gets the chance to work in the field again. I hope his victim is able to heal after this experience. She is going to be terrified to trust anyone in an ambulance again. 
Margaret Wissiup Tuesday, August 21, 2012 6:35:13 AM Um. I m, hello! It's a 17 year old, who had a seizure, who is making false claims because she was "out of it" and the Medic was probably just listening to Lung sounds not fondling her breasts! BUT how would she know, because she didn't open her eyes. To anyone with their eyes closed, it could seem like fondling, but he was probly just doing a ROUTINE Assessment!
Jake Stein Wednesday, August 22, 2012 4:36:28 AM Sure, but then look at all of the EMTs and Paramedics who brag about copping a feel in their blogs and on the forums. Do you really think it doesn't happen? The last Paramedic charged with them admitted to what he did and described how he twisted the nipples and wiggled his fingers in her vagina to get "a response". 
Michael L. Strong Friday, August 17, 2012 7:40:49 PM Perhaps you should wait to see if there is any validity to the complaint before playing Judge , Jury, and Executioner ! 
Melissa Tiede Hyde Friday, August 17, 2012 9:34:38 PM @ Michael thank you very much! We don't even know if he is guilty yet. In this line of work sometimes we have to cut a patients clothes off. Just because a patient wakes up from a seizure with her top off and a man sitting next to her, does NOT mean he touched her boobs. I have seen alot of postictal patients, and they have no recollection of anything that happened. I find it hard to believe that this medic could remove her clothes, and fondle her breasts and his driver never saw a thing. If that is the case I would want a new driver. My partner is always looking in the back to make sure I am ok and don't need anything. This girl very well could have woke up, saw her shirt off and decided to cry wolf. If there is a call for a female patient, and I know there are only male medics on duty, I try to jump the call so my co-workers arn't accused of something so absurd. 
John Vo Saturday, August 18, 2012 5:41:25 AM Cameras inside the ambulance anyone? John Vo Saturday, August 18, 2012 5:51:41 AM What the hell is kinda? is it or is it not? :) like "is it raining there?"
Diane Annas-Calkins Sunday, August 19, 2012 11:58:45 AM What I find rather 'odd' about this story is: "unable to move or open her eyes during the alleged assault" so how is she coming up with this story? Something stinks from the 17 year old's claim. 
Elizabeth Miller Monday, August 20, 2012 5:58:59 AM 1. Always consider having a female treat a female patient. At least try to have a female in the back with her.
2. Teenagers are very uncomfortable with their bodies. They will appreciate any attempt at maintaining their modesty. If not possible, the EMT needs to be prepared to talk her through the procedure.
3. The article does not attribute any medical training to this FF. Red flag? Diane Annas-Calkins Tuesday, August 21, 2012 3:22:23 PM Just a thought, not sure if it 'could' be done to avoid violating patient privacy laws. Wouldn't it be possible to mount a camera in the back of the rig so as to capture the EMS personnel only and not the face/ID of the patient? It seems to me that there as a medic charged with rape not too long ago and the camera actually saved him and his career because it showed nothing happened, but can't remember where that was. If I find the story, I'll post link. Might have been aussie or london, etc. not sure. 
