UK Fireman faces punishment for risking his life in rescue

Tam Brown, 42, is the subject of an internal investigation by Tayside Fire and Rescue because he breached safety rules during the rescue in the River Tay in Perth.

He spent eight minutes in the cold water and at one stage feared that he would be swept to his death. But after dragging the 20-year-old woman to safety he was told by his employer that he had acted improperly by risking his life.

Mr Brown, who has 15 years’ experience as a fireman, was hailed as a hero by the young woman’s family but Tayside Fire and Rescue said that he had broken the brigade’s “standing instructions” on safety procedures.

But wait, there’s more…

The brigade’s rules state: “Personnel should not enter the water.” The fire crew should instead have tried to haul the woman out using poles and ropes.

Stephen Hunter, chief fire officer of Tayside Fire and Rescue, admitted that fire engines in Perth were not equipped with the correct poles and ropes, but insisted that Mr Brown had broken the rules.

You’ve seriously got to wonder.  This followup Courier article says that Tam was cleared and has now been commended by CFO Hunter.  Hunter is quoted in that article as saying:

It is important to stress that at no time during this investigation did principal managers indicate that any firefighters involved in this incident would be the subject of a disciplinary investigation.

This myth has been perpetrated by the Fire Brigades Union.

However, in the Times article he’s quoted as saying:

We know they broke procedure because we know he went into the water. We are investigating exactly what happened, and once that is concluded we will consider what action is necessary. That could include disciplinary action.

No, they didn’t say they would be the subject of an investigation, just that they could be.  Yes it’s all the nasty Fire Brigades Union’s fault for muddying these very clear waters.