City of Rochester
News Release
Mayor Evans Provides Briefing Regarding Emergency
Response on Seneca Ave.
(Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024) – Today, Mayor Malik D.
Evans discussed the Nov. 30 emergency response to a City of Rochester resident
who was experiencing a medical crisis. That person died more than two weeks
later.
Mayor Evans has called for AMR to conduct its own in-depth
investigation into what happened that night. In addition, Rochester Police
Chief David Smith has called for an immediate internal investigation of the
incident by RPD’s Professional Standards Section.
“Even though this was a medical scene, there are lessons to
be learned for all involved,” said Mayor Evans. “We must get to the bottom of
this. We must understand how and why this occurred, and we must identify
processes and safeguards to ensure that it does not happen again.”
The Mayor released a video that includes a combination of
blue light camera and body worn camera footage of the incident.
That video shows a person, who was having trouble breathing,
being asked to leave an ambulance and wait on the street for another ambulance
to arrive to take him to the hospital. It also shows that person, in clear
distress, falling to the sidewalk and waiting for more than two minutes before
medical personnel help him.
Rochester Police had been called to the ambulance to address
what was described as an assault of the EMTs on board. Police stayed on-scene,
even after the scene was clearly safe, and were present when the patient fell
to the ground.
“City residents are people and they deserve to be treated
humanely and with the same attention as anyone else,” Mayor Evans said.
The City’s ambulance service provider, AMR, has committed to
working to determine the reasons this incident occurred, address the gaps in
the care that was provided to this patient, and fix whatever led to this
unacceptable situation.
Mayor Evans committed to providing updates as the City
learns more.
###
The Administration of Mayor
Malik D. Evans strives to create a safe, equitable and
prosperous Rochester by inspiring hope and delivering opportunity for everyone.
Guided by the Administration’s Mission, Vision and Values and the principles of the “Rochester
2034” comprehensive plan, City employees are committed to providing
exceptional customer service, transparent stewardship, and collaborative
leadership to foster a vibrant community that empowers personal, professional
and generational growth for all who live, work or play in the city of
Rochester.