Clearwater Medics Fired After Mistakenly Declaring Man Dead

CLEARWATER, FL — Two Clearwater medics were fired Friday several months after they pronounced a man dead when he was still alive, Clearwater Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Ehlers said.

During a Friday news conference streamed by WFTS in Tampa, Ehlers announced the termination of fire medics Jacob Rivero and Sebastian Pickens. Both were initially placed on administrative duty pending an investigation after they mistakenly pronounced 66-year-old Thomas Maxwell dead following a heart attack.

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"First and foremost, I would like to apologize for the lack of concern these two medics displayed on this call. I am truly sorry," Ehlers said. "The performance of these two fire medics does not reflect the value and commitment of the men and women of Clearwater Fire and Rescue exemplify on a daily basis."

Ehlers continued, "They failed their oath of office and they failed this patient, his family and the citizens of Clearwater."

The incident occurred Feb. 15 when Clearwater Fire and Rescue received a cardiac arrest call around 10 a.m. from a home in unincorporated Pinellas County, agency spokesperson Rob Shaw told Patch in February.

Shortly after Rivero and Pickens arrived at the home, the pair pronounced Maxwell dead and left the home once Pinellas County sheriff's deputies arrived, authorities said.

That's when a deputy noticed the man — later identified as Maxwell by his family — was still breathing, according to Shaw.

Deputies asked medics to return to the home, Shaw said, adding that a crew with Largo Fire Rescue was sent to the house, arriving shortly before 10:30 a.m. Medics treated and then took Maxwell to the hospital, Shaw said.

Once officials learned what happened, they "immediately removed both fire medics from their normal duties and discontinued their abilities to provide patient care," Ehlers said in a statement released after the incident.

"We have strict policies and procedures in place that were not followed, according to our preliminary review," Ehlers said. "These two did not perform to the standard of care that our citizens expect and deserve. We will address this incident swiftly."