Powell County, Ky. – Two paramedics who administered antivenom to save a reptile zoo director from a venomous mamba bite are facing a license hearing today, September 30, after a policy change restricted such treatment to specially certified responders.
In May, Powell County paramedic Eddie Barnes and a colleague rushed to the Kentucky Reptile Zoo after co-director Jim Harrison suffered a bite from a Jameson's mamba during a venom research project. Harrison quickly developed paralysis and respiratory distress and requested the antivenom he had supplied from the zoo. Unable to reach their supervisor, Barnes consulted an ER physician, who approved the immediate administration while awaiting a medical helicopter.
Antivenom treatment is not included in the baseline KBEMS protocols because the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) requires that only “wilderness paramedics” who undergo an additional specialized training beyond standard paramedic education are authorized to administer it. This policy was established two years prior to the incident. Neither Barnes nor his colleague held this certification. Despite successfully saving Harrison, who was fully recovered still KBEMS launched an investigation, leading to today’s hearing.
Barnes told WKYT, “If we had sat there and let him die, then we would have been morally and ethically responsible, and we could have been criminally charged for his death.” He added, “If it came down today, I would do the same thing. You cannot put a price on a person's life.”
Harrison’s wife, Kristen Wiley, said the paramedics were heroes. “Every physician we’ve talked to agrees they did what needed to be done to save him. That’s who I want working on me in an emergency,” she told WKYT.
KBEMS officials have indicated that most investigations end with additional training or dismissals, rather than license revocation. A Change.org petition supporting the paramedics has also attracted widespread attention, calling for flexibility in emergency protocols.
(Rh/Eth/VK/MSM)