EDISON, NJ – In an unprecedented move for an elected official that would probably get any police officer, firemen or emergency worker terminated, Mayor Joshi who also serves as the Public Safety Director, prematurely posted on social media about a casualty at an incident scene before later announcing a miraculous recovery.
At 7:05pm, Mayor Joshi took to social media to post, “You will hear helicopters in the area Unfortunately at this time there is at least 1 confirmed casualty.” This statement sparked immediate concern and confusion among residents and family members. Police and fire officials were quick to criticize Joshi’s irresponsible use of social media, emphasizing that announcing a casualty while emergency services were still being rendered was highly inappropriate. They also pointed out that a cardiac arrest fatality would not be transported, further highlighting the Mayor’s lack of understanding regarding emergency procedures.
“This is like working with a 16 year old influencer, everything is about taking pictures and publicity. We should not be posting on social media while emergency services are working an active scene and no one should ever post about a casualty until the next of kin is notified” said a ranking Edison police officer who could only speak anonymously do to department regulations. “We don’t transport the deceased to the hospital” the officer said when asked about the fatal cardiac arrest patient whom Mayor Joshi claimed regained a pulse at the hospital.
However, at 8:35pm, Mayor Joshi posted again, stating, “I was just informed of a miracle that the individual who was transported as a cardiac arrest fatal has regained a pulse but remains in critical condition. 2 are in critical condition at this time.” This unexpected news brought a wave of relief and joy to the community.
As of now last nights devastating fire has left 2 residents who were in the apartment where the fire started critically injured and 55 apartments uninhabitable. Emergency response teams, including the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management, the New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management, Edison Office of Emergency Management, and the Red Cross, are working to provide aid and shelter. A reception center was established to process displaced residents, with 61 individuals receiving temporary housing.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The Middlesex County Fire Marshals, Edison Fire Marshals, and the Edison Police Department are working together to determine the origin and circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. More details will be released as the investigation unfolds.
While the individual’s recovery is undoubtedly a positive development, Mayor Joshi’s actions have raised concerns about his judgment and understanding of emergency protocols. Critics argue that his premature social media posts caused unnecessary panic and distress among residents and family members. They also emphasize the importance of allowing emergency services to do their job without interference or premature announcements.
This incident serves as a reminder for public officials to exercise caution and responsibility when using social media, particularly during emergency situations. It also highlights the importance of respecting the expertise of emergency responders and refraining from making premature statements that could compromise their work.
