The local union representing paramedics and EMTs with Escambia County Emergency Managemen t want county leaders and the public to know that they believe a “toxic culture” at Escambia County Emergency Medical Services is creating problems within the department that affect public safety.
Monday, the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (IAEP) Local 325, EMS professionals with Escambia County EMS (ECEMS), delivered a vote of “no confidence” in EMS Chief David Torsell and Deputy Chief Christopher Stephens to the Escambia Board of County Commissioners.
Union representatives say the vote of no confidence comes after they tried unsuccessfully for years to resolve problems that resulted in “a lack of focus on emergency services, high staff turnover, lack of 911 coverage, and a culture of harassment, favoritism and unprofessionalism nurtured by department leadership.”
“The primary function of an EMS department is emergency medical care and ECEMS is no longer focused on that function,” said Local 325 President Chad Stimmell. “Chief Torsell and Deputy Chief Stephens have made the task nearly impossible for their first responders; their decisions directly reducing the number of ambulances available to respond to emergencies in Escambia County.”