The guy was doing the right thing! He got up out of his house and went to help. The story even admits they had a extended response.

By the way any records are subject to the FOIA besides HIPPA protected ones. Sue the crap out of them!

Recall the recent flap in NYC where two “off-duty” EMS dispatchers with EMT training were disciplined for supposedly not rendering aid to someone who was sick in the restaurant where they were on their “off the clock” lunch break. Did they have a duty to act even though they were not technically “on duty?”

Can you imagine the grief and potential retributions if the neighbor’s child had suffered debilitating injuries or death? Imagine the guilt trip that would be facing that “sick” firefighter! What about the personal issues he would face (both in his own mind and that of his family and friends) if that injured child had been ignored by him? Gee, isn’t that a person making a self-sacrifice to help others? The good Samaritan? Some might say no good deed goes unpunished??

In most goverment agencies, there is usually an employee handbook that outline disciplinary procedures, including hearings and appeals. Most outline a progressive systems of warnings, suspensions, etc. with termination usually defined as a “last resort” to deal with an employee. Courts have consistently ruled that if a handbook with such rules in published/issued, then the terms, conditions, and procedures are binding on both the employer and employee. Even in an “at will” state. In such a state, many employers won’t even give a reason for the termination since they can then be challenged via the legal process to back-up that claim with irrefutable “evidence”. Many ex-employees win these legal claims and receive compensation, new jobs, promotions, etc. depending upon the actual claim made.

There are consultants that tell employers that they may be better off not creating a written policy/personnel manual just to avoid such challenges.

As for me personally, I would want my “sick” neighbor to take care of my child (or me) if I was in trouble, even if it is only for a few minutes until the “on-duty” professionals arrive. In sme situations, a few minutes and a few simple procedures may save a life!

And as a retired firefighter and paramedic, I can recall many situations where I was requested to response to my neighbor’s emergency, even when I was sick or otherwise.