Fla. EMS Training School, Responders Cleared of Cheating Accusations

A Florida EMS training school and several firefighters have been cleared of cheating allegations following a state probe.

The investigation involving Collier County firefighters and the Bonita Springs paramedic training school was conducted by officials from the Florida Bureau of EMS, according to The Naples News.

In a March 1 letter, investigators told the Collier County Commissioners they found no violations and the case was closed, the newspaper reported.

The cheating accusations in a paramedic preparatory class were said to have involved firefighters from Naples as well as North Naples, Isles of Capri and Ochopee.

The probe was initiated after students complained that some firefighters were allegedly given a study guide to prepare for a test on patient drug calculations while others were not. That document was said to have contained exam questions, reports indicated.

Miami-Dade Firefighter Richard Gonzalez, who runs the Medical Career Institute, mistakenly gave test questions instead of the study guide. The newspaper reported he admitted his error to state EMS authorities.

A student in the class and named in the probe said accusations were unfairly brought to the public's attention because he was employed by the North Naples fire district, which was at odds at the time with Collier EMS over expanding the level of medical services, The Naples News reported.