A tragic oversight in Brooklyn has led to a citywide examination of emergency response protocols following the death of FDNY EMS Lt. Nelson Seto. According to CBS News New York, Seto, who faithfully served New Yorkers for over a decade, died last month after a 911 call he made during a medical emergency was not followed up appropriately by first responders.
Seto, aged 42, was found dead at his Brooklyn home after neither gaining a response from the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) at his door nor receiving a call back from the dispatcher. The "difficulty breathing" that was clear in his 911 call led to the rapid arrival of EMTs at 12:10 p.m., but after a brief wait, they deemed the call unfounded. Lt. Anthony Almojera remarked in a statement obtained by CBS News New York, "It's something I can't get out of my head, what if he heard them leave."
The concern now shifts to the experience of the EMTs and whether protocols were followed. Critics argue that the EMTs should have contacted a supervisor or called for forced entry. The Daily News highlighted that both EMTs were relatively new on the job, with less than a year's experience each, sparking debate over the potential impact of the city's difficulties in retaining EMS personnel. The FDNY is currently reviewing the case, with a spokeswoman stating, “On Monday morning, FDNY EMTs responded to a call for difficulty breathing, and were unable to make patient contact. This incident is under review, and it is likely there will be changes to FDNY protocols as a result.”
According to Lt. Anthony Almojera's statement obtained by CBS News New York, existing protocols dating back to 1999 were not adhered to; EMTs are expected to "make every attempt to gain access" and not close a call unless "no patient is found." Meanwhile, there has been disciplinary action taken against those involved in the response: the dispatcher who handled the call has been suspended without pay for five days, and the responding EMTs will undergo retraining.
The fate of the two EMTs remains in limbo, as they are still responding to emergency calls while the department's probe continues. Vincent Variale, president of the EMS Officer’s Union, told the Daily News, “The city’s lack of EMS retention, recruitment and staffing is literally killing New Yorkers and now it’s claimed the life of one of our own.”
