A heartbreaking incident has left many questioning the reliability of emergency services after a toddler tragically died when help was delayed.
Yuna Feeley, a two-year-old girl, went into cardiac arrest from a respiratory illness back in January. Her mother, Andrea Feeley, called 911 for assistance, but instead of paramedics, firefighters were dispatched to their location.
When the firefighters arrived, they realized that Yuna needed advanced medical care beyond their capabilities. They radioed for an ambulance from Action Ambulance Service, but the service reportedly had no available staff to respond.
After waiting more than 15 minutes, a firefighter made the decision to transport Yuna to Massachusetts General Hospital in his own car while two other firefighters performed CPR on the way. Sadly, she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The response has sparked widespread backlash and raised concerns about emergency services’ readiness. Action Ambulance issued a statement offering condolences to Yuna’s family while addressing the staffing shortage that is straining Massachusetts’ EMS system.
The spokesperson explained, “Our hearts go out to Yuna Feeley’s family. This was a devastating incident for everyone involved, and our crews did everything possible to help that day.
The EMS system in Massachusetts and across the country is stressed due to an increase in calls, staffing challenges, and backlogs in our hospital emergency rooms.”
The statement continued by acknowledging the systemic issues facing emergency services: “These are challenges we are working to overcome every day, and we look forward to working with our partners and local and state governments on meaningful solutions.”
The toddler reportedly died from a rare lung infection, and her mother has been vocal in her criticism of the delayed response and lack of life-saving care. The Boston Globe has since launched an investigation into the events, uncovering troubling findings.
The investigation revealed that there is no centralized or real-time system tracking ambulance locations, nor is there an evaluation of whether there are sufficient ambulances on the road. Additionally, even when ambulances are operational, chronic staffing shortages mean many remain unused or understaffed.
The report pointed to an overburdened system where the same paramedics and EMTs work long, grueling shifts, increasing the likelihood of mistakes during emergencies.
Experts believe that the presence of paramedics could have changed the outcome for Yuna. Paramedics are trained to administer advanced treatments, such as epinephrine and advanced defibrillation, which could have improved her chances of survival.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for reforms in emergency medical services to ensure timely and adequate care during life-threatening situations. While families hope for change, the challenges of staffing shortages and resource constraints remain a pressing issue for agencies across the nation.