Firefighters ‘horrified’ paramedic still at work

Afirefighter says he and colleagues are horrified a paramedic accused of making inappropriate comments at the scene of a fatal Fife crash has not been suspended.

The serving Fife fireman says he has been forced to attend the same emergency scenes as the paramedic, who is being investigated for his conduct at a two-car collision earlier this year.

Lisa Scott, 26, from Perth, died in the crash on the A914 in Pickletillum, near Drumoig, on September 26.

The Courier later revealed a paramedic who attended the scene is being investigated in relation to comments made while working.

Now the firefighter has hit out at the alleged comments and the decision not to suspend the paramedic while the investigation is ongoing.

It is understood the first complaint was made to senior members of staff at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

The firefighter, who asked not to be named, said: “His comments were foul-mouthed and wholly inappropriate, particularly coming from a trained emergency paramedic who should be professional at all times.

“Firefighters are now horrified to discover this person is still attending incidents and they are having to work alongside him.”

He added: “This is leading to a breakdown in relationships between

ambulance and fire personnel.

“While remaining 100% committed at all times... there is disgust among firefighters that they should have to work with this person at emergency incidents.”

The firefighter said colleagues had met the

paramedic at several recent incidents.

He added: “I think most people recognise there can be a black humour among those who attend distressing emergency situations.

“This helps them get through what they are having to cope with and builds camaraderie and relationships and allows people to go home and live normal lives.

“However, there is a definite line and what this person said that day very definitely crossed that line,” the firefighter added.

“There is revulsion that he hasn’t been suspended pending the investigation and that people are having to continue to work alongside him at major and serious incidents.

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We do not comment on individual cases.

“An investigation is ongoing and all our employees are managed strictly in line with SAS values and workforce policies.”

SFRS said complaints are treated confidentially.

TRAGEDY: The scene of the accident in which Lisa Scott died and a paramedic is accused of making inappropriate comments.

Lisa Scott was killed in the crash in September.