Daily Post (Liverpool)
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More than a dozen firefighters are taking legal action against the Fire Brigades Union, saying they were thrown out for saving lives.
Steve Gadson is among firefighters who have been expelled from the union for joining Merseyside’s co-responding team.
FBU policy is against co-responding because firefighters first at the scene of an accident carry out medical work, which the union says is stepping on the toes of paramedics.
But Mr Gadson, who is based at Upton fire station in Wirral, said: “To me, this is just another way of saving lives, which is why you go into the fire service in the first place.
“We are not taking away the paramedics’ job, we are there to assist. The union said it was against their policy and took disciplinary proceedings against us. Then we were expelled.
“I am taking legal action because I want my name to be vindicated. I have done nothing wrong. The union is supposed to be there to protect you but, in this case, it just turned its back on us.”
The co-responding team has now been expanded to 24 members.
Half the team have already been expelled, and the rest are still going through the disciplinary process.
A dozen of the expelled firefighters are taking the FBU to a tribunal, which will be heard in October.
Some say they have experienced harassment by their colleagues as a result of the row with the FBU.
Les Skarratts, secretary of the Merseyside FBU branch, said: “The union is against co-responding nationally because we do not believe there has been adequate training.
“There has been absolutely no bullying or harassment. That claim is completely unfounded.”