South Coast Today
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The state Civil Service Commission has determined the city acted too harshly in the 2011 firing of a paramedic found to have contributed to a hostile work environment, but upheld terminating a city emergency medical technician with whom she often butted heads.
Paramedic Debra Norcross and EMT Jean Quintin were both fired on May 9, 2011, after they repeatedly lashed out at each other. The situation culminated in Quintin accusing Norcross, her supervisor, of ordering her to administer epinephrine down a patient’s endotrachial tube, a type of catheter that goes down the throat, the state’s June 13 ruling said.
The pair were later fired. Norcross’ termination letter said she was let go for her “attitude and actions toward a fellow employee” that caused a “significant patient care issue” (the epinephrine incident). Quintin’s letter said she was terminated for administering the epinephrine despite stating she knew she should not, the ruling said.
Full story: State commission rules New Bedford acted too harshly in firing paramedic, upholds termination of EMT