MUNCIE, Ind – The Muncie Hearth Division and its Emergency Medical Service are beneath shut scrutiny following allegations of systemic fraud which have rocked the division.

“This actually shocks me that some individuals can or might have cheated as a result of now we have a whole lot of good individuals, and by proxy all of us need to pay for it,” Muncie Hearth Chief Robert Mead informed 13News.

13 Investigates confirmed that the division is now the main target of three separate investigations. All contain allegations that firefighters and EMTs have been capable of cheat their certification exams after receiving actual questions and solutions earlier than or throughout their assessments.

Mead mentioned he first discovered of the allegations final month. Requested for additional particulars, she informed 13News that members of her division have been accused of improperly accumulating check questions and solutions, then sharing them with colleagues to assist them go core certification exams. and superior. These exams are required for EMTs and paramedics to be licensed to work on an ambulance.

Now, the nationwide group that conducts EMT exams has launched an investigation.

“I used to be knowledgeable by the Nationwide EMT Registry that they have been opening an investigation into a number of members of our division,” Mead mentioned. “I hope the allegations come again as unfounded, that we’re exonerated from that. But when it goes the opposite method, we’ll cope with it as regardless of the consequence is.

Nationwide and state investigations ongoing

Contacted by 13News, the Nationwide Register of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) mentioned it was taking Muncie’s allegations very significantly.

“Defending the general public is paramount and we started investigating these allegations as quickly as they have been delivered to our consideration,” mentioned Invoice Seifarth, CEO and govt director of the Nationwide Registry. “We wish to ensure that EMS candidates have taken their certification exams appropriately and that their particular person information and expertise are appropriately measured.”

NREMT oversees the certification of EMTs and paramedics in 48 states (together with Indiana), and its web site emphasizes the integrity of its testing and certification course of which is supposed to make sure “public safety and affected person security.” A spokesperson informed 13News that its investigation into doable fraud inside the Muncie Hearth Division is in cooperation with state authorities.

These authorities embody the Indiana Division of Homeland Safety, which has now launched two separate investigations into allegations of fraud involving Muncie Firefighters and EMTs.

One of many state investigations is being performed by the Indiana Division of Homeland Safety’s Workplace of Emergency Medical Companies, which is at the moment investigating all the Muncie Hearth Division over the allegations.

“Once we hear about doable dishonest, we sometimes get an accusation from one or two individuals, however we not often hear that a whole system or division may very well be concerned,” mentioned Kraig Kinney, director of Indiana state EMS. “We’re investigating each people and the division as a complete. The query is, are these individuals appearing inappropriately individually or on behalf of the division? So the division itself can also be a part of the investigation.

Kinney, who additionally sits on NREMT’s board, mentioned his workplace’s investigation might take one other 60 to 90 days to finish because of the complexity of the allegations. She mentioned the investigation will doubtless embody in-person interviews with MFD firefighters and EMTs, and that her division has additionally acquired quite a few paperwork.

“It was solely after I noticed these paperwork that I noticed how dangerous it was,” she informed 13News. “I wish to ensure Muncie will get a good and thorough investigation, however from the whole lot I see, it simply seems like a rip-off to me.”

The Indiana State Hearth Marshal’s workplace is conducting the second investigation as a result of Muncie’s allegations additionally embody doable fraud involving state exams for firefighters. These exams check proficiency in particular firefighter specialties and allow firefighters to earn further certifications that may result in promotions and wage will increase.

“There are not any shortcuts to turning into a firefighter. There are not any shortcuts to turning into a paramedic or EMT. It takes lots of and hundreds of hours to develop these professionals,” mentioned Hearth Marshal Steve Jones, who mentioned two investigators from the Indiana Division of Homeland Safety have been assigned to look into allegations of fraud on the Division of Firefighters. Muncie Hearth Division “Integrity is the whole lot, and that is what we wish. We would like individuals to do the correct factor. I hope it occurred right here, but when not, there could also be a penalty to pay.”

Potential Penalties ‘Too Huge to Even Assume About’

The fantastic may very well be fairly excessive if the allegations transform correct.

In response to Kinney, the state has the authorized authority to impose self-discipline in opposition to firefighters and EMTs for actions it believes embody materials fraud or deception. Blatant violations of NREMT examination guidelines might attain that threshold.

EMT and Paramedics candidates taking a Nationwide Registry examination should adjust to testing guidelines which embody:

• Candidates will not be permitted to reveal or talk about with anybody, together with instructors, details about the examination questions or solutions seen throughout the examination.
• It’s forbidden to reconstruct the examination gadgets utilizing the examination reminiscence or the reminiscence of others.

If these guidelines are violated, the state can impose quite a lot of penalties, starting from putting an EMT or paramedic on probation to having their EMT certification revoked for as much as seven years. Violators may also face a civil fantastic of $500 per incidence.

Kinney informed 13News the state additionally has the flexibility to take motion in opposition to a whole division, together with revoking its certification to conduct coaching.

Such actions, if vital, might considerably influence an emergency medical service serving 65,000 individuals all through the Metropolis of Muncie. Many firefighters nationwide are experiencing a scarcity of EMTs and town of Muncie is dealing with excessive demand for ambulance providers.

“If nothing else, this can be a wake-up name for departments to look into their coaching practices,” added Kinney, who mentioned it was too quickly to find out whether or not allegations involving the Muncie Hearth Division may very well be validate.

Mead made this level talking to 13News.

“These allegations are simply that at this level – allegations – till one thing is confirmed,” he mentioned. She has inspired members of her division to cooperate if they’re contacted by investigators.

On the identical time, the fireplace chief acknowledged the massive influence such allegations might have on his division, particularly if they’re confirmed to be true.

“I’ve already thought of the whole lot that would occur, and it scares the shit out of me. It is too massive to even take into consideration,” Mead informed 13News. “The nice women and men within the division might need to endure by the hands of a nasty man or two, and that hurts so much… It simply boils down to moral habits, and that is one thing you be taught in kindergarten.”

The firefighters converse

13 Investigates spoke to 4 present and former members of the Muncie Hearth Division concerning the fraud allegations. All mentioned they have been conscious that dishonest had occurred, and three workers members mentioned they personally witnessed the certification examination dishonest facilitated by one other member of the Muncie Hearth Division.

“It is fairly cheeky and it is embarrassing. I feel nearly everybody who works right here is aware of that,” one of many staffers informed 13News.

Thursday evening you will hear what a few of these MFD insiders witnessed firsthand. And 13 Investigates additionally obtained a number of the identical proof state investigators acquired. 13News will showcase the stunning pictures, emails and textual content messages that at the moment are on the coronary heart of the dishonest investigation, when this particular report from 13 Investigates continues on Thursday night at 11pm on 13News.