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Now a Firefighter is Reprimanded for Saving a Life
Days after a lifeguard was fired for breaking protocol to rescue a drowning woman, a Philadelphia firefighter has managed to keep his job after breaking protocol to save a choking woman. Firefighter Fran Cheney was criticized after he found a woman grasping for breath and choking on smoke on the second floor of a warehouse fire on Wednesday. He ripped his air mask off and gave it to her, then carried her downstairs and outside to safety. Cheney collapsed and was hospitalized with smoke inhalation. Yet, after the heroic move, not to mention the $500 he donated to her family, he was thanked by a visit from a top fire official criticizing him for his actions. However, amid public outcry the department has now announced Cheney will not be formally disciplined.
Jack Daniels
July 8th, 2012
It absolutely staggers the imagination how acts of heroism are now admonished. How there is no longer a sense of admiration for people who go beyond the call of duty, often at risk to their own life, in a desire to save another, and yet cowardice is tooted as the highest form of civilized humanity.
LadyGun12
July 8th, 2012
I guess lifeguards and firefighters have a new motto: “Let ‘em die”!
Unneutral
July 8th, 2012
Some people in an official capacity love to flaunt their power.
Loretta in Indiana
July 8th, 2012
When we do not honor Life, G-d will not honor us.
simply enraged
July 8th, 2012
I have learned from personal experience that in government, especialy those run by leftists, it’s the administrative dicta that matter, not the results.
Moe Tom
July 8th, 2012
In this girleyman world we live in it is a relief to hear stories of bravery. In my lifetime I’ve witnessed many “rash but successful” acts by men who make their own decisions when the chips are down. Lifeguard Tom Lopez and Fireman Fran Cheney, are such men. They follow in the steps of Admiral Farragut in the Battle of Mobile Bay who successfully ran his ship through a minefield for a win. “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.” Bravo.
Moe Tom
July 8th, 2012
Ladygun.@ No. That is the motto of the libs in charge.
papadoc
July 8th, 2012
Sorry. I disagree. That protocol is in place for a very good reason. What happens when the rescuer is disabled by the smoke and heat? His/her job is to get that victim to safety as soon as possible and he can’t do that if he allows himself to be injured in the process. They both could have died, and then his sacrifice would have been for nothing, as “unselfish” as it might have been.
Moe Tom
July 8th, 2012
papadoc. Point well taken. But spur of the moment decisions are just that, spur of the moment. You either do it or get off the pot.
historicus
July 8th, 2012
Why I quit the volunteer fire service, Part 1.
More procedure and protocol than constructive action. Who needs it?
Poonces
July 8th, 2012
It’s gotta be tough for this administration, when some everyday citizen decides who lives or dies without financial or political incentive. That damn human decency that keeps rearing it’s ugly head in the face of the annointed ones.
Gvii
July 8th, 2012
Gotta love a world run by lawyers. This is the kinda crap you end up with. Going after someone for risking their life to save another. That used to be called heroism. Now it’s called insubordination.
So glad the law school bubble is finally bursting. Maybe we can get at least a little sanity to return to this world.
Boobie the Rocket Dog
July 8th, 2012
@ papadoc -
Yup. It’s the “give a mouse a cookie” rule.
Had Cheney not been reprimanded, every smoke inhalation victim in Philly would expect the firefighter to give her his mask and would be sued for NOT doing it. Juries are made up of the VICTIM’s peers, not the hero’s.
So, Cheney did the right thing but so did the department, on both fronts.
Moe Tom
July 8th, 2012
Boobie/dog. You got it. Bawl the shit out of him in private, but give him a medal and party among his peers.
muddjuice
July 8th, 2012
Get used to this folks. It’s the same thing that’s happening in law enforcement. We are being trained based on what could possibly happen in a lawsuit not on what’s right or “heroic”.
CRYOJOHN
July 9th, 2012
Good point, Papadoc, but I’d like to give this brave firefighter the benefit of the doubt as to his egress planning. Perhaps just a minute of miscalucluation had him pass out – after giving that woman the same minute she needed to stay alive. Tough call that happened to play out well.
BTW, what does your avatar say at the bottom and where does it come from?