Richland County’s investigation into inappropriate social media posts by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) employees concluded Monday with the termination of two staffers and the resignation of another, following the discharge of a senior paramedic last week.
The former employees, the titles they held and their employment dates are:
Terminated:
·Tommy Boland, Senior Paramedic, May 7, 2007-July 13, 2016
·Troy Beckham, Paramedic Crew Leader, Nov. 10, 2003-July 15, 2016
·Tyler Dixon, Emergency Medical Technician, July 25, 2011-July 15, 2016
Resigned:
·Donald Oliver, Emergency Medical Technician, May 24, 2008-July 15, 2016
The County’s investigation into the posts found personnel policy violations that the interim County Administrator called an erosion of public trust.
“EMS is called upon to serve citizens in times of duress,” Gerald Seals, the interim County Administrator, said last week. “The statements on social media were threatening and could be taken as the County having individuals, who because of their bias, may adjust their care – and that erodes public trust and is unacceptable.”
The former employees were terminated following an investigation by County Administration and the Emergency Services Division, where EMS is housed. The men violated the Emergency Services Division’s “zero tolerance” for “actions which are grossly unprofessional or grossly violate the standards of Richland County, the Department or a Division.”
Seals added that during the life-and-death situations to which EMS workers respond daily, residents must know that they will be respected and will receive the best care.
As stated in the “Code of Ethics” in Richland County’s employee handbook:
“The County expects its employees to conduct themselves and perform their work in concert with sound business practices and ethics. At all times, whether in or outside the workplace, employees must act in the best interest of the County and must refrain from conduct that is unbecoming and/or that would reflect discredit of his/her department or of the County.