PITTSBURGH -- An investigation finds Pittsburgh EMS workers did not violate any state emergency laws in the hours leading up to the death of a Hazelwood man.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has exonerated the paramedics of any wrongdoing, but that ruling seems to carry little weight with city officials.

“The bottom line is, we do think the paramedics should have gotten out of their vehicle and assisted Curtis Mitchell in a more effective way and help prevent him from passing away,” said Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.

On Feb. 7, Curtis Mitchell died during the storm that dropped more than 20 inches of snow on the city.

His longtime partner, Sharon Edge, told Channel 4 Action News that they called 911 when Mitchell started having abdominal pains and was unable to walk.

Records show 10 calls were placed to 911 since 2 a.m. on Feb. 6, and emergency could not get to Mitchell until after 8 a.m. on Feb. 7, when he was already dead.

The Department of Health said paramedics responding to Mitchell’s calls acted according to a list of protocols detailed in Act 45 of the EMS code and did not violate state law.

The Paramedics' Union criticized city leaders on Saturday, saying, "It is quite obvious prior to this incident that the city was ill-prepared for this snow disaster. The administrators in charge of the public's safety did not put the employees of the city of Pittsburgh in a position to carry out their responsibilities in an effective manner."

On Friday, Ravenstahl reiterated that the city has its own rules.

“When you look at the state's requirements that nothing was done wrong, we feel differently,” said Ravenstahl. “But one thing that's important to understand is that we have higher standards -- in terms of what we expect from our paramedics here in Pittsburgh -- than what the state requires.”

Ravenstahl, along with other city officials involved in the case, has not revealed what those standards are.

“We'll disclose that at the time when we make an announcement. It's not [public disclosure] at this time. We will make it available,” said Public Safety Director Michael Huss.

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Lack Of Communicaton, System Blamed In Hazelwood Man's Death

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