‘Londyn Porter Policy’ implemented as part of case settlement

A local Rexburg family whose newborn baby was accidentally burned by heat packs in the care of a Madison County Fire Department paramedic has settled their case against the City of Rexburg and the paramedic out of court after coming to an agreement through mediation. The Porter Family met with leaders for the City of Rexburg and Madison County Fire Department Thursday to discuss the issue. Those leaders expressed their sadness that the family had to spend so many hours addressing the injury to newborn baby Londyn Porter. As part of the settlement of the case, it was decided to implement a new “Londyn Porter Policy” in regard to the use of heat packs. Madison Fire Department Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Service provider Troyce Miskin wants to put this all behind him. Two years ago, Miskin responded to a newborn in distress and provided Londyn with medical care. However, something went very wrong the heat packs Miskin used to warm up the infant, which ended up burning Londyn. Miskin, who has worked as a Emergency Medical Service provider for 15 years said the heat packs that were used on Londyn were a different brand of heat pack that reached excess heat of 130 degrees and caused severe burns to Londyn. Moving forward, Miskin has not gone a day without thinking about what happened that summer day and said the experience has changed him for the better. “I hope it doesn’t come out that its about me because I know that the family has gone through a lot. It’s not something that I’ve forgotten, it’s not something I go long periods of time without thinking about. Its effected who I am and I would like to think that its made me better and helped me to help other people to be better, too,” Miskin said. In the wake of the accident, the Porters expressed that they didn’t want this to happen to anyone else. So the Porters and the Fire Department teamed up to create a new policy called the “Londyn Porter Policy.” “We got together we were able to come to that realization and better understanding that something better can come from this and that’s where we came up with the ‘Londyn Porter Policy,’ which is going to be more than just heat packs. Its going to help us more forward and have a name attached to what we do and to always remember to make it about the people we are serving and trying to protect. To make it personal,” Miskin said. The Madison Fire Department has since discontinued the use of the heat packs used. The policy will require that all Fire Department personnel be trained in the use of heat packs and use them in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications to ensure safe application and zero injury. The Porters acknowledge that all actions taken by Madison Fire Department personnel on behalf of Londyn were done in good faith to render assistance in an emergency circumstance. “We want to do our jobs very well so the public trusts us and we want to have the public continue to trust us,” Miskin said.