Those in local communities may have heard that John Bockrath will be leaving his post as Norwood Fire and EMS Chief. He does have health issues at this time, which require a different climate. At the same time, he called the Forum July 31 to let the editor know he had broken some rules and takes full responsibility for his actions.
Six weeks ago, Bockrath treated someone who called in severe pain. The patient was no stranger to local EMS, as he has a chronic condition. Bockrath treated the patient, administered narcotics, but didn’t transport the patient or call the case in, as the patient was adamant he didn’t want admitted to the hospital.
Bockrath said per the Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), he should’ve transported the man and called in the administration of drugs. When his department found out that he didn’t, they became alarmed and questioned him. What Bockrath did went against what he teaches in paramedic classes.
That’s something that troubles the fire chief greatly, but he’s found himself in a predicament the last decade he’s worked in Norwood.
Rural Colorado uses the Denver Metro’s SOPs. Bockrath said the guidelines don’t always make sense out in remote, rural Norwood. He’s struggled the last 10 years in handling cases, avoiding expensive transports and hospitalizations, for patients he knows he can quickly help.
“(The SOPs) don’t fit where we live,” he said, “and I’m not the only who has bent the rules in rural America.”
Bockrath told the Forum he has broken rules before. Only recently did he give narcotics, but in the past, he’s given IVs and stayed up and watched people who are intoxicated, avoiding transport. He’s also given people nebulizers and stabilized asthma until patients can breathe better. He said he’s never risked a cardiac patient ever, and he’s not trying to assume the role of doctor, but after nearly 40 years of paramedic work, and for those whom he can avoid a $5,000 hospital bill and an hour-and-a-half ambulance ride one-way, he has skirted the system.
“They can’t afford it,” he told the Forum. “But, if I can’t treat them, and it’s out my scope, and thought they needed to go in, they went.”
Bockrath said he called San Miguel County Sheriff Dan Covault and asked him to press charges against him. Nearly a month ago, however, an attorney told Bockrath there is no criminal activity to prosecute. The fire chief told the Forum he’d be willing to take a polygraph about the specifics of what he did.
Bockrath said he never set out to hurt his patients or his department.
“My intentions were always good,” he said, “and I never took money for treating anyone. I never charged anyone.”
Bockrath told the Forum he fell in love with Norwood and the whole community from the time he set foot in it in 2016. He never meant to cause harm, despite not always “practicing what (he) preached.”
What would Bockrath change, if he could go back in time during his career on Wright’s Mesa? What would he do over?
“Nothing,” he told the Forum. “I would fight harder for rural America and the procedures.”
Bockrath did relinquish his license two weeks ago. His last day is now Sept. 30.
The district attorney, DEA and medical director for Norwood Fire Protection District (NFPD) have determined the offense was procedural, not criminal.
The future of NFPD is questionable at this time. Meetings are open to the public and occur the third Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. A work session to hunt for a new chief is now scheduled and open to the public.
