Why the flurry of posts on the death of Curtis Mitchell? The Pennsylvania Department of Health has exonerated the paramedics of any wrongdoing, but that ruling seems to carry little weight with city officials. [1] Just a few quotes to highlight the problems in Pittsburgh Mr. Huss (public Safety Director Michael Huss) said they should have walked to Mr. Mitchell’s home to retrieve him. “It’s that simple,” he said. [2] On Friday, (Mayor) Ravenstahl reiterated that the city has its own rules. “When you look at the state’s requirements that nothing was done wrong, we feel differently,” said Ravenstahl. “But one thing that’s important to understand is that we have higher standards — in terms of what we expect from our paramedics here in Pittsburgh — than what the state requires.” Ravenstahl, along with other city officials involved in the case, has not revealed what those standards are. “We’ll disclose that at the time when we make an announcement. It’s not [public disclosure] at this time. We will make it available,” said Public Safety Director Michael Huss. [3] Double secret probation? Apparently, Mayor Ravenstahl thinks he can shield his friend from any blame for poor planning, by blaming the paramedics, who were following lawful directions from dispatch. The medics were not as tactful as they should have been, but that was addressed by the medical director before the first press conference. [4] This would be suspicious, if someone were attempting to get rid of Pittsburgh EMS and have the fire department take over EMS. Has anyone asked what the fire department was doing during this storm?

Original Source of Podcasting, Critical Judgment, and the Death of Curtis Mitchell Part III