VOLUSIA EXPOSED

THE JORDAN OAKLEY INCIDENT

In April 2012, Rene Oakley went into premature labor, with her son, Jordan Vincent Oakley. Sadly, EVAC is not arrive in enough time to render proper medical assistance. Jordan's family are left wondering if his death could have been prevented. If EVAC would have been more timely in their response, would their son still be alive?

WFTV - Channel 9 posted a video article regarding the Jordan Oakley incident. We invite you to review it at the below link.

Approximately six months prior to Jordan Oakley's death, and shortly after the Volusia County government had incorporated EVAC as a county division, several tenured and experienced EVAC employee were terminated by Volusia County officials.

The county's rationale for terminating these seasoned paramedics and emergency medical techs was that these employees had failed to comply with the county's no smoking / tobacco policies.

There were rumors that the actual rationale for these terminations was to fend off an effort by these employees to form a labor union. Shortly thereafter, EVAC personnel did vote to unionize.

VolusiaExposed voiced concerns to county officials, to include an email to Volusia County Spokesman, Dave Byron, that such a brain drain within EVAC could possibly amplify a public safety issue, in a agency that was already having problems with meeting emergency response time frames. We invite you to review our email to Mr. Byron, and his response.

THE ARCHIE BEARD INCIDENT

On a Sunday afternoon in February 2012, Archie Beard, an 81 year old Army veteran, suffered a heart attack while watching television. His family did the right thing, they dialed 911. The 911 operator assisted them with starting CPR, and assured them that help was on the way. However, help was reporting to the wrong address. Archie would not survive his first heart attack. We invite you to review the below attached media article, which details how the 911 / EVAC system failed Archie Beard.

Listen to the 9-1-1 calls from Archie Beard's family

THE JOELL CIANFROCCA INCIDENT

On January 8, 2010, a 911 call came into the Volusia County Communication Center. Joell Cianfrocca, a 32 yr old woman was having an asthmatic attack. Fortunately for her, the Edgewater Fire Department had responded to her 911 call, and EVAC was on it's way. As time ticked by, Ms. Cianfrocca condition got worst. Her gasping for breath quickly escalated into a cardiac emergency. Where was EVAC - Why are they (EVAC) not here - were questions being asked by on site medical personnel. Later, it would be determined that EVAC had been re-routed to another call.

Quickly, Edgewater Fire Services realized that Joell needed immediate transport to the hospital. They arranged to transport her with their emergency vehicles. However, word was received from the county, that they (county) would not authorize the city to transport Joell. In the end, Joell died.

The below linked media article is very informative, regarding the events attached to Joell's untimely death.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So ask yourself, are the above incidents just flukes? Or are they very representative of the current state of readiness for EVAC? Each citizen of Volusia County will have to draw their own conclusions regarding the readiness of EVAC. However, the below November 2011 VCSO Press Release might assist our readers in making their decision.

In November 2011, two VCSO deputies were shot in the line of duty. Neither deputy suffered life threatening injuries, as clearly documented in the below VCSO Press release.

However, one deputy was airlifted to Halifax Medical Center via the Sheriff Department's helicopter.

Obviously, Addison, Jordan, Mr. Beard and Ms. Cianfrocca did have life threatneing conditions - so since Volusia County officials can apparently have their deputy with NON-life threatening injuries airlifted, is it too much for us (citizens) to expect the same timely arrival of EVAC, when we are suffering LIFE THREATENING situations?

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VCSO PRESS RELEASE
November 26, 2011
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

TWO DEPUTIES SHOT WHILE RESPONDING TO DOMESTIC CALL

Two Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies were shot early Saturday morning while responding to a domestic violence call. The injuries aren’t life-threatening. The suspect in the shooting, 27-year-old Corey Reynolds of Deltona, has been taken into custody. He wasn’t injured.

The incident started after deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hollingsworth Court in DeBary, where Reynolds’ ex-girlfriend lives. The Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at 4:49 a.m. reporting that Reynolds had shown up at the house and assaulted his ex-girlfriend. Reynolds is accused of throwing the victim to the ground and strangling her in an attempt to kill the woman. Deputies then headed to Reynolds’ house at 1545 Huntington Street in Deltona to look for him. The first responding unit, deputy John Braman, arrived at Reynolds’ house at 5:22 a.m. and spotted Reynolds’ pickup truck. The deputy then waited for back-up to arrive before approaching the house. After deputy John Brady reached the scene, the two approached the house. At about 5:37 a.m., while deputies were attempting to take Reynolds into custody, a struggle broke out. During the struggle, Reynolds produced a handgun and shot both deputies. Neither deputy returned fire. Despite their injuries, the deputies were able to take Reynolds into custody.

Deputy Braman was shot three times -- once in the right shoulder, once in the left arm and a third shot that grazed his neck. His injuries were serious, but NOT life-threatening, and he was AIRLIFTED by a Sheriff’s Office helicopter to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach for treatment. Deputy Brady sustained a grazing wound to the back of his right shoulder and was taken by EVAC ambulance to Halifax Health Medical Center.