First Aid News - May 2007

News - Fireman Dismissed From Union For Agreeing To Offer First Aid

A Merseyside fireman has been dismissed from his union for agreeing to offer first aid before the ambulance paramedics arrive. The fireman felt it his duty to give first aid if he was on scene ahead of the paramedics but his union have disagreed and disciplined him.

This dispute arises out of a claim by the Fire Brigade Union that were they to agree to allow their members to give first aid, it would help to mask a state of underfunding that they claim exists within the ambulance service. They feel that the situation would be best rectified by ambulances not arriving after the fire service.

A total of eleven fireman have been expelled from the union but one of them took it to tribunal, and his appeal was dismissed. It is not clear from the reports whether they have lost their jobs as a result of the finding.

A lesson to be had from this story is that people needing first aid may not get it from the fire brigage who may wait until the ambulance service arrives. Therefore, it would be worth acquiring training in first aid in case one is ever placed in a situation where emergency treatment is required but a union ruling prevents the firemen from offering their assistance. Click here for First Aid Training.