Former Central Pierce EMT Suspended For Misconduct

PUYALLUP, WA - The Washington Department of Health has suspended for at least two years the emergency medical technician credentials of a former Central Pierce Fire & Rescue EMT. For inappropriately touching and teasing an unconscious, partially-nude 72-year-old man who was experiencing a medical emergency early last summer, Lewis County resident Dean Lewis Scott was also charged with unprofessional conduct.

Scott, who was first licensed as an EMT in 2014, resigned from his position with Central Pierce on Dec. 20, 2018, according to Central Pierce spokesman Capt. Darrin Shaw. Scott's resignation came at the conclusion of the Central Pierce investigation into his alleged misconduct, Shaw said.

According to The Chronicle in Centralia, Washington, the accusations against Scott describe an incident that occurred June 29, 2018, when fellow EMTs witnessed Scott inappropriately touch a septuagenarian who was unconscious, lying face down, with his trousers around his thighs.

In addition to the touching, Scott reportedly made jokes that other medical technicians described as "unprofessional, abusive, and offensive," according to the DOH report.

About a month before Scott's resignation, on Nov. 9, 2018, the DOH charged him with unprofessional conduct and gave him 20 days to respond. He evidently failed to do so.

In June 2018, when Central Pierce administrators first learned of the "horrendous, serious allegations" against him, Scott was immediately placed on administrative leave, Shaw said, noting Scott has not worked for Central Pierce since its initial decision.

"We received an internal complaint about the behavior and actions of one of our employees. These allegations were taken seriously and we immediately placed this employee on administrative leave while we investigated," Shaw explained in an email to Patch. "We found our employee acted contrary to our values and expectations. While we were working with our legal advisors on the process of administering disciplinary action, this employee resigned his employment with Central Pierce Fire & Rescue.

"We are aware that other agencies conducted investigations and are administering their own findings and actions," Shaw's statement continued. "This behavior is not acceptable to Central Pierce Fire & Rescue or its employees who are providing critical emergency services to the public every day at fire stations throughout our district."

DOH officials told Patch the agency is unclear whether Scott found employment as an EMT with another emergency response provider prior to its official decision to suspend his credentials.

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