Empress EMT assigned to tactical operation in Sullivan County allegedly found asleep during police emergency
Undersheriff Eric Chaboty says the EMT couldn’t be reached during the tactical operation early Friday morning when deputies called for an ambulance.
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An investigation is underway in Sullivan County after an Empress EMT who was supposed to be on standby during a search warrant instead, allegedly fell asleep.
Undersheriff Eric Chaboty says the EMT couldn’t be reached during the tactical operation early Friday morning at a residence on Champlin Avenue in Liberty when deputies called for an ambulance at approximately 6 a.m.
Chaboty says a “flash bang” distraction device unexpectedly went off while a member of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit was attempting to gain entry and was holding the device in his hand.
“They’re calling for an ambulance; There’s no answer. We called on our frequency. They called on the county EMS frequency and there’s no answer,” says Chaboty.
Officials say 34-year-old Det. Ryan Fridlich’s hand was severely injured during the narcotics operation and that tactical EMTs at the scene applied a tourniquet and called Empress EMS for an ambulance that never came.
A deputy went to check on the EMT, who was supposed to be with the ambulance nearby at the Mobile Medic garage on North Main St, according to officials.
“The operator was not in the ambulance. He banged on the door of the building and when the EMT came out, he was rubbing his eyes as if he’d been sleeping,” Chaboty says.
Chaboty says the EMT was included in a briefing two hours before the search warrant was executed and was on duty solely for the operation. He says an investigation into the incident is now underway.
Empress denies their EMT was asleep and calls the allegation “rumors” and “unsubstantiated claims.”
“No Empress paramedics were found asleep,” says Justin Bockman, a representative for Empress. “In contrary, two paramedics escorted the sheriff to the hospital and provided ALS care during transport.”
Officials say the injured sheriff’s detective served with the department for more than 10 years. They say he was taken to the hospital in a police vehicle and was accompanied by an Empress EMT who was with officials at the scene during the raid. Fridlich was released on Monday after losing two fingers and undergoing emergency surgery, according to the sheriff’s office.
Tyrone Hagans, 47, was arrested on drug charges as a result of the raid. Officials say cocaine, crack, fentanyl, drug paraphernalia and an undisclosed amount of money was found in his residence. He was initially remanded to Sullivan County Jail but later released on Monday, as required by law, after officials say an indictment was not immediately obtained by a grand jury.
Officials say Fridlich hopes to return to duty after he recovers. Department use of the reusable ALS flash bang device has been temporarily recalled, according to officials.
