Firefighter warned he could be sacked for saving lives (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Firefighter warned he could be sacked for saving lives

8:00am Monday 11th February 2008

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A Walton firefighter has been warned he faces the sack if he uses his medical training to save injured people while carrying out fire calls.

Joe McMahon, a former paramedic who is now a firefighter based in Wimbledon, helped ambulance workers who were struggling to treat five casualties.

"I’ve been told if I try to save a dying person I will be sacked."

Joe McMahon

But instead of being praised, his employers told him he could be fired for misconduct if he used his medical training again.

After a disciplinary hearing he was told he might be sacked and sent a letter which warned: "When you are working as a London firefighter you are ordered not to give any medical treatment except first aid."

The 44-year-old told The Sun: "I've been told if I try to save a dying person I will be sacked.

"It seems to be my bosses' opinion that it is better to let someone die than p*** off their insurance brokers."

Undeterred by the warnings Mr McMahon now fears he will be sacked after he helped a four-year-old girl who had been hit by a car."

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