Dear Union City,

Please accept this electronic request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form or use a particular software platform to submit my request per NJSA 47:1A-5(f), which states that an email from a requestor including all of the information required on the adopted form shall suffice in place of a completed form as a valid government record request.

I HAVE NOT been convicted of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey, any other state, or the United States.

I WILL NOT use the requested government records for a commercial purpose.

I AM NOT seeking records in connection with a legal proceeding.

Records requested:

Concern – Use of Personally Owned Medical Equipment and Regulatory Compliance

To Union City Officials/Residents:

I am writing to formally raise a concern regarding the reported use of a personally owned, portable, battery-operated blood pressure device by a supervisory member of Union City EMS.

This concern is raised in the context of applicable New Jersey Department of Health regulations governing EMS operations, including but not limited to N.J.A.C. 8:40A (Emergency Medical Services), which establishes standards for equipment, medical oversight, and quality assurance.

Specifically, I request clarification on the following matters:

1. Approval and Authorization
Is the personally owned battery operated blood pressure device reportedly used by Supervisor Yanci Gutierrez approved by Union City EMS and/or the agency’s Medical Director? This can’t be covered because what someone needs to do is just ask her partners and if you want to go further there should be videos from officers body camera. This is done every time she is working the ambulance not as a Supervisor. Supervisor Yanci Gutierrez uses her personal own battery operated blood pressure cuff on patients, but partners are afraid to report her because of you should all know this….”Retaliation”…. All complaints of her go nowhere!
Under N.J.A.C. 8:40A, ALS and BLS equipment utilized in patient care is generally expected to be approved, standardized, and under the authority of the agency and its Medical Director.

2. Equipment Evaluation and Maintenance
• What company or service provider, if any, is responsible for the inspection, servicing, and calibration of this device?
• Are there documented maintenance, inspection, and calibration records associated with this device through Union City EMS?
• In accordance with N.J.A.C. 8:40A requirements for equipment readiness and reliability, how is this device verified to meet operational standards?

3. Policies and Protocols
• What policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), or protocols does Union City EMS maintain regarding the use of personally owned medical equipment by EMS personnel?
• Do these policies align with New Jersey Department of Health expectations for standardized, agency-controlled equipment?

4. Quality Assurance and Oversight
• Is this device included under the agency’s quality assurance/quality improvement (QA/QI) program as required under N.J.A.C. 8:40A?
• If so, how is its accuracy, reliability, and clinical use monitored and documented correctly? If not are all of her reports considered falsified? How is it being documented? What a disservice to the Union City Community if this is the true; you have an obligation to contact State of New Jersey Dept of Health and notify them of such ir regulations.

5. Scope of Practice and Liability
If a device is not formally approved by Union City EMS or its Medical Director, its use may fall outside the scope of authorized practice and medical oversight.
• Can you clarify whether the use of such a device would be considered outside approved protocols?
• What policies or corrective procedures are in place to address the use of unapproved or non-agency-issued medical equipment?

Additionally, I note that I have not been able to identify any official maintenance or calibration records associated with this device through Union City EMS. Clarification on this point would be appreciated, particularly in light of regulatory expectations for documentation, accountability, and patient safety.

This inquiry is made in the interest of patient safety, regulatory compliance, and adherence to established EMS standards of care under New Jersey law. EMS Chief Fierro 👀 or are you blaming “upstairs”. EMS Director Captain Bergbauer are you going to investigate? Are you contacting the State for assistance? Or do nothing? like in the past! I’m not even going to ask about her husband Administrator Supervisor Jose Gutierrez 🤡

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

My preferred delivery method for response(s) to this request is by E-mail as attachments. Please confirm you have received this request. If you are not the custodian of records, please forward my request to that person and provide their email address to me for future reference.

Yours faithfully,

Nepotism