Milwaukee's Common Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution aimed at changing protocol for first responders.
The push follows the death of 49-year-old Jolene Waldref near a bus stop last month, during some of the coldest weather of the winter. Her call to 911 had been labeled "low priority." Paramedics from Curtis Ambulance say they did not see Waldref and did not get out of their vehicle to look for her. A bystander found her later and called for help.
District 5 Alderman Lamont Westmoreland introduced the proposal on Tuesday. It urges the Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department and certified ambulance service providers to require crews to exit their vehicles and search for people who need help when weather or other conditions impair visibility at the dispatched location.
At a news conference last week, the CEO of Curtis Ambulance Jim Baker, said his team did not do anything wrong. A couple of days later, Baker said he was open to changes.
"I'm looking to avoid any other private ambulance company CEO to be able to stand to a podium and say we didn't do anything wrong. We acted according to our policy, so yes, I do want it in writing," Westmoreland said during Tuesday's meeting.
Westmoreland's resolution came at the same time that the city is working on a new contract with private ambulance companies. The council held off voting on a new contract until the companies made changes and sent that item back to committee.
"You're playing with dynamite. My point is they're good enough, corporate citizens that they will continue to do what's best for our community in light of a lack of contract," Alderman Mark Borkowski stated.
Since the resolution to change protocol passed, it gives the fire chief seven days to take on a review with ambulance providers and report back.
"The time is ticking. In seven days they're going to come back to us and say this is what we have. This is our new policy or this is what we're progressing to. Some say that the seven-day time is a little aggressive. I don't care because we're talking about people's lives here," Westmoreland said.
Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski was unavailable for an interview Tuesday.
In an email, Bell Ambulance said it is collaborating with Milwaukee Fire on making policy and procedure changes when crews are not able to immediately locate a patient. They plan to meet on Wednesday.
Curtis Ambulance did not respond to TMJ4's interview requests.
Read the full resolution below:
Alderman Lamont Westmorelan... by TMJ4 News
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