Rhode Island: Should Firefighter Have Jumped into Emergency? - Firehouse.com News
Rhode Island: Should Firefighter Have Jumped into Emergency? - Firehouse.com News:
I think that there is a compelling argument on both sides of this debate. I feel that if he had done nothing, he might have been reprimanded as well. This puts into perspective of how the localities view your assistance in the case of emergencies like this.
Would you have reacted the same way?
Do you feel that he should be covered?
CRANSTON -- When is a firefighter not a firefighter?
Steven Burgess thought he was a firefighter the night The Station nightclub burned to the ground. He went as a concertgoer, out on a date.
But as the fire consumed the club, the Cranston firefighter joined West Warwick's Fire Department, fire hose in hand, as they fought the blaze -- standing close enough that the heat burned his clothes and singed his eyebrows off.
The City of Cranston saw it differently. While he acted heroically and deserved praise, the city said, Burgess was no firefighter that night; he was a private citizen doing what he could to help.
Cranston denied his request for injured-on-duty status when he sought treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder stemming from the events of that night, Feb. 20, 2003.
I think that there is a compelling argument on both sides of this debate. I feel that if he had done nothing, he might have been reprimanded as well. This puts into perspective of how the localities view your assistance in the case of emergencies like this.
Would you have reacted the same way?
Do you feel that he should be covered?
3 comments:
I know some RI FF's, who were on scene that night. Apparently some civilians were also pitching in with the fight. The problem is if they give this guy, who was technically "off the clock" coverage, will they be held liable for the rest of the civvies who helped out.
RI is primarily volly depts, exceptions being Providence, W. Warwick, and Narragansett($$$). Any volley units that responded that night were warned up front that the paid-ff's had the lead on this. They were there for support only. Mainly due to the insurance risk, the paid units were covered - and the volleys were not.
Another complex issue Bro... Can't you pick an easy one once in a while?
Yeah it is a tough situation. Whether to act or not. I can assure you that if that firefighter could have acted and done some good, but decided not too, he would have been asked why, possibly reprimanded, and could have been legally responsible to act due to his training. So it is a moral question really.
btw: I like the complex issues.
To "RoanokeFound": Contrary to your entry, Rhode Island does NOT have primarily volunteer departments! Most of the cities and towns have paid firefighters, with the more remote locations depending on volunteers, or a combination of the two. Either way, all of the personnel who responded to the horrific fire at the Station nightclub should be praised for their actions. It was a night that affected, either directly or indirectly, every resident of this state, and one that will NEVER be forgotten!
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