The Texas Department of State Health Services is investigating Dallas Fire-Rescue as a result of complaints of improper patient medical care. These complaints date back to at least 2016, and the state has determined that they failed to follow proper procedures in caring for patients.
The state health department conducted separate reviews of the fire department. This caused four of the department employees since April to have their paramedic licenses placed on probation. Two of the staff in question were on scene during the killing of Tony Timpa in 2016.
The four medics who got their paramedic licenses placed on probation are still working for Dallas Fire-Rescue. According to the fire department, they are still allowed to perform their duties but could face more severe punishment if other violations are uncovered.
While the state’s health department confirmed that an active investigation was ongoing with the fire department, details of the case have not been provided. According to a spokesman for the health department, active EMA complaints and information involving investigations are confidential under state law.
In an email to Dallas’ mayor, council members, and top city and fire staff, Fire-Rescue Lt. Robert Borse said that the health department’s consumer protection division was “conducting several investigations involving either DFR as a whole or individual employees.”
The email which was sent on Monday night also mentioned the four employees who are on “probated suspension.” The names of the employees were not mentioned.
Borse’s email also stated that the fire department disputes complaints related to the ongoing investigation.
In a statement made to The News on Tuesday, Dallas Fire Chief Dominique Artis also confirmed the ongoing state investigation. He stated that the fire department and the state are working “on a number of different issues that are just trying to make our EMS system better.”