UK Firefighters Tossed from Union for EMS Responses

Eleven firemen were thrown out of their trade union for agreeing to help save lives, an employment tribunal heard today.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) expelled the men for taking part in "co-responding", a relatively new scheme in which fire station crews attend medical emergencies and give basic first aid until paramedics arrive.

FBU chiefs objected to co-responding, but a tribunal in Liverpool heard members of Merseyside Fire Service's Search and Rescue Team (SRT) felt morally and legally obliged to take part in the scheme.

The tribunal heard the SRT, formed in the wake of the September 11 attacks to deal with non-fire related rescues, began co-responding in October 2004.

Most of its 24-strong team were expelled or resigned from the FBU in March 2006 for breaching union policy, and 11 contested their expulsion at today's hearing.

Paul Lawless told the tribunal he "highly valued" his 15-year membership of the FBU for its camaraderie and benefits, and he had supported industrial action in 1995, 2001 and 2003.

He said he could not agree with the FBU objection to co-responding, however, because he felt that saving lives was an essential part of a firefighter's duty.

He said: "Firefighters have traditionally rendered first aid to members of the public.

"It is my view that a fire authority can require a firefighter to perform any reasonable activities as part of his or her role map (job description).

"I believe that rendering first aid to members of the public, who pay my salary through their taxes, is not an unreasonable request.''

Mr Lawless, from Crosby, Merseyside, added that the FBU leadership appeared to "cherry pick'' alleged disciplinary breaches.

He gave the example that the FBU is officially opposed to its members holding second jobs outside the service, but nobody had been disciplined for that offence.

He also gave the example of an FBU member who enjoyed union support when he called another fireman a "scab", despite such behaviour appearing to contravene FBU guidelines on proper behaviour.

Mr Lawless said: "The FBU seemed to take action against people who took part in life-saving activities but acted on behalf of members who took part in offensive behaviour.

"I am amazed that a so-called socialist organisation can expel its own members for rendering humanitarian assistance to the community they serve, and actively prevent them from increasing their medical skills.''

The tribunal is expected to last five days.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.