FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — Flagler County announced Tuesday that it is updating fire rescue safety protocols after a former paramedic was charged with sexually assaulting an unconscious patient while on duty in the back of an ambulance in 2021.
The county said in a release that the changes were directly in response to the "horrific" allegations brought against former paramedic James Melady.
A Flagler County Sheriff's Office release said Melady, 37, "confessed to his crimes" after law enforcement discovered a video they said showed Melady molesting an unconscious woman while she was being taken to the hospital.
In response to Melady's arrest, Flagler County adopted the following protocols to enhance safety and security:
- Mandatory two-person protocols: All ambulances will have two personnel who must ride together in the back with patients considered vulnerable or underaged to ensure oversight.
- Psychological evaluations: Mandatory psychological evaluations will be conducted on all new fire rescue employees to support mental health and professional conduct. Officials said this procedure was already in place before knowledge of the incident.
- Enhanced surveillance: Currently, all ambulances have external 360-degree cameras for driver awareness. An additional camera will be installed in the back of all vehicles so activities in the patient compartment will be recorded for safety.
- Rescue supervisor on all ambulances: In August, fire rescue established a rescue supervisor position for all ambulances within the county to ensure oversight on all units. This was before knowledge of the incident.
“These actions reflect our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the people we serve,” said Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker. “We want to emphasize that the actions of one individual do not reflect the dedication and heroism of our entire team.”
Officials said Melady was hired in June 2018, and was put on an unrelated administrative leave in May for failing a drug test for a medication he was no longer prescribed. He later resigned and has not been employed by fire rescue for the past four months.
The Daytona Beach Police Department assisted in the investigation after a video of the assault was discovered as investigators were looking into other cases in their jurisdiction involving Melady.
The sheriff's office said the video "explicitly" showed Melady assaulting a woman "while she was clearly unconscious" as she was being taken to a Palm Coast hospital on Oct. 17, 2021.
The victim was unaware of the assault until detectives notified her, according to the sheriff's office.
Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Melady Wednesday on charges of sexual battery on a helpless person and video voyeurism on a victim 19 years old or older.
Melady was arrested in Volusia County, where he is being held on no bond.