Charleston County EMS Chief on Leave after Writing Memoir

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) – The head of Charleston County EMS has been placed on administrative leave days after the release of his memoir in which he described co-workers as “life-sucking, energy draining bags of annoying hell.”

Chief Don Lundy was placed on temporary administrative leave with pay, Charleston County spokesman Shawn Smetana confirmed on Tuesday. The statement went on to say the County is investigating an internal Human Resources matter and because it’s a personnel matter, no further comment was available.

Lundy published a memoir, Paramedics of the Heart, on July 4 about his career in EMS.

The book goes through different experiences he had on the job.

“This is not a job but a calling,” Lundy writes. “In this business, attitude is everything. Those of us who are serious about patient care realize that our sole purpose in our mission is to serve others.”

The book, available on Amazon, also goes on to describe coworkers of Lundy’s.

“They are life-sucking, energy draining bags of annoying hell,” Lundy writes in a section of the book. “And, for their own misgivings, everyone around them must suffer.”

A review on Amazon reads, “I can’t even imagine how it must feel to be the paramedics he mentions specifically, who currently are working the streets of Charleston County, and reading their Chief’s words about the,” Frank S. wrote. “He then talks about 9 truths about ems leadership in which he talks about standing with your employees, being willing to admit to mistakes, and being forgiving. I’m not sure he follows his own advice, even in the writing of this very book he gives the advice in.”

Another reviewer anonymous writes, “I find it hard to believe that someone who is supposed to be a “Leader” could say some of the things he does about his employees. This is very disgusting to know that someone can publicly support his employees to the media could turn around and completely berate and belittle the same people who he defends in public.”

Other reviews appear to be positive, “What a wonderful book! I can’t see why anyone wouldn’t want to learn more about EMS by seeing it through the eyes of Chief Lundy.”

Smetana could not confirm whether the book is the reason Lundy was placed on administrative leave.

The publisher for Paramedics of the Heart is CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, Amazon’s book self-publisher.

Attempts at reaching Chief Lundy were unsuccessful.



Copyright 2015 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Upstate NY Weighs New Ambulance; Will It Help or Hurt?

In a contentious public forum Tuesday night, Northstar Health Alliance proposed launching a new ambulance service to transport patients between medical facilities.

OH Gunman Kills One, Injures Five in Industrial Park

A gunman shot six people in a New Albany commercial building Tuesday, killing one person and injuring five others. The city said police responded at…