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DA probes EMTs in mom's death

Duo could face rap - and the ax

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS, MURRAY WEISS and DAN MANGAN

Last Updated: 5:12 AM, December 22, 2009

Posted: 2:40 AM, December 22, 2009

Comments: 80

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Two EMTs accused of callously refusing to help a dying, pregnant mom during their coffee break became the target of a criminal probe by the Brooklyn DA's Office yesterday -- as the FDNY moved to fire them.

Prosecutors met to determine whether EMTs Jason Green, 32, and Melisa Jackson, 23 -- who sources said are romantically involved -- had a legal duty to aid Eutisha Rennix, 25.

The criminal investigation began as the Fire Department suspended Green and Jackson without pay for allegedly ignoring the frantic pleas of Rennix's co-workers to help her after she suffered a seizure Dec. 9 at the Au Bon Pain shop in 1 Metrotech Center in Brooklyn. That's the site of FDNY headquarters and where the pair work as dispatchers.

TRAGIC: Eutisha Rennix, here with twin brother Eudane, died after collapsing in a Brooklyn cafe.

Rennix, who had a 3-year-old son, died at Long Island College Hospital after being transported there by a paramedic crew. Her premature baby was delivered at the hospital but died two hours later.

Sources said the FDNY wants to boot Green, a six-year veteran, and Jackson, who has four years with the department, over the debacle, a story that The Post broke Sunday.

But two are fighting back, unleashing a union rep to defend them yesterday.

"These are people that are not in the field," EMS union exec Jeff Samerson said. "They have not had patient contact in years."

Still, even Samerson had to concede, "they could have acted better."

Fire Department officials have already referred the case to the state Health Department, which could revoke the EMTs' certification.

The shocking scandal, which has infuriated Mayor Bloomberg, FDNY brass and the public, even led the union chief to call for punishment for the pair if they failed their duty.

"The entire rank-and-file is mortified by these allegations," said Pat Bahnken, president of Emergency Medical Services Union Local 2507.

Bloomberg raged at the two EMTs for a second day, saying, "There's no excuse whatsoever, as far as I can tell."

FDNY investigators have obtained a videotape from the Au Bon Pain on the day of the incident, department sources said.

Employees said they approached Green and Jackson for help for Rennix.

Shop worker Tareen Brown, 29, said the EMTs initially told workers that "if they reacted, they could get in trouble. They said they weren't allowed to touch her unless a call was made to 911 first."

His co-worker, Lourdes Colon, 19, said, "They said they couldn't do anything. They said they were trainees. They showed no sympathy at all."

Brown said that after Jackson and Green did not go to help Rennix, he went outside where there was a group of about 10 FDNY employees, and told them, "Somebody has fallen out. There's an emergency."

"They said, 'What do you want us to do? Call 911.' "

Jackson actually did call 911 from the Au Bon Pain, according to the union's Samerson.

But sources said Jackson told the dispatcher that Rennix had difficulty breathing -- despite the fact that the EMT never physically examined the stricken woman -- and left before the LICH crew arrived. Based on the information Jackson provided, the call was initially not treated as a critical emergency.

Additional reporting by Amber Sutherland and Sally Goldenberg

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mrholmes19

12/26/2009 6:33 AM

You Raythithsct agains blacks wid Bagels! Where al sharp ton at?
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Retired_Mass_Jake

12/22/2009 7:19 PM

First off, I'm a retired firefighter from Massachusetts who is also a former EMT, CPR instructor and first responder.
I have some serious issues with this whole issue. After reading the original article on CNN and FoxNews, I asked the question to other retired jakes I know and each one said the same thing. We would identify ourselves and jump in to our elbows to render aid.
I don't know what the laws in NY are but here in Mass we are required to render aid to the best of our ability and training. That being said, As these two were registered EMT's there was NO excuse in the world for them to not help this woman. I find it appalling someone would use the excuse ""These are people that are not in the field". They were trained and their training should have kicked in.
My deepest sympathy to the poor womans family.
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Charlee G

12/22/2009 4:44 PM

All the facts should be revealed before everyone jumps to conclusions on this one. After the facts are in then everyone can slam the EMT's. But remember, these two were Dispatchers not Field EMT's.
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End the occupation of the Confederate States of America NOW!

12/22/2009 3:39 PM

I blame the job structure that labor unions impose on all of us. The "It's not my job mentality" has cost two lives now. Nice work, organised labor! I only hope that the next victim will be a labor union fat cat boss!

Deo Vindice
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CONCERNED

12/22/2009 1:52 PM

I'm sorry NY Sage, I'm just appaulded at the way people act in the world today. We should have peace and humility toward our fellow bothers and sisters and this is the path that some choose to take. It's just an outrage.
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NY Sage

12/22/2009 12:31 PM

Now those two EMS love birds can have their bagels and eat it. The outrage is just beginning.

This horrible event has ruined the holidays for many concerned citizens from all walks of life. Better to be grateful and give thanks when you consider Euthisha's baby didn't was robbed of her life and didn't get a chance to make it in this world. That is the tragedy. And entire family wiped out. Mother and child. Cut short and so close to the Birthday of Jesus Christ who was given a fighting chance when he was a new born baby.

Why couldn't Euthisha have had that fighting chance too? And her unborn baby, deceased.
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CandyMan

12/22/2009 12:20 PM

Nice tattoo.
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MarieAntoinette

12/22/2009 12:08 PM

The FDNY workers that refused to come in should go as well

Merry CHRI$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$TMAS