Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
A New Jersey EMT who is facing criminal charges for secretly filming people in bathrooms at the headquarters of two EMS organizations, has had his license suspended by the New Jersey Department of Health. MyCentralJersey.com is reporting that the state has suspended the EMT license of Douglas Gimson, following charges brought by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office.
Gimson is charged with two counts of invasion of privacy for filming people at the headquarters of both the Flemington-Raritan Rescue Squad and the Lambertville-New Hope Rescue Squad. He was a member of both organizations when the incidents occurred. The Lambertville incidents occurred in 2016 and 2107, and involved a hidden camera in the bathroom and shower area. The Flemington-Raritan incidents occurred in 2019 and 2020, and involved Gimson standing outside the building filming individuals in the bathroom.
MyCentralJersey.com quoted from a letter from the Department of Health to Gimson informing him of the suspension, as saying:
- “[EMTs] are placed in a position of trust by the general public.”
- “In short…to be effective, EMTs must be law-abiding and must be trusted to care for all patients in an appropriate, safe manner.”
- “[Your continued certification as an EMT] constitutes an immediate and serious threat to public health, safety and welfare.”
Gimson was ordered to surrender his EMT card to the state. More on the story.
