Firefighter gives first-hand account of 'patient dragging' incident
The firefighters were trying to stop a man, possibly suffering from a drug overdose, from driving into traffic
By EMS1 Staff
MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee fire lieutenant said it was a "horrible" experience when he tried to stop a belligerent patient he was trying to help.
Lt. Spencer Ramsdell gave his first-hand account when he was dragged by a driver as he and two other firefighters tried to assist and medic in helping the man.
He told WTMJ that his goal was to just get the keys away from the driver.
"It was a busy day, there was a lot of cars out there. I didn't want him to hit somebody else."
Lt. Ramsdell said it the man was "altered" and may have been suffering a drug overdose.
While two firefighters reached at the driver from the back passenger doors and he tried to reach over to grab the keys, the driver started the engine.
The firefighters had to hang on to the vehicle as half their bodies were inside.
"I see them bail out. I see them roll out and it's just a sinking feeling. It's horrible," said Lt. Ramsdell.
The man ended up dragging the firefighters about 40 feet before one of them got control of the wheel and put the car in park.
All of the firefighters suffered knee injuries but are expected to make a full recovery.
Jake Stein Wednesday, February 20, 2013 1:36:56 PM This is why you call the Police. FFs and EMTs should not be trying to play cop when they have no training for detaining people who have a potential for violent acts. This lack of judgement can get them killed and this also goes for their firefighting duties. Rushing in without being prepared or properly trained can be deadly. 
