Volunteer firefighters in Stafford County, Virginia, have been suspended for using a fire engine to take an unresponsive girl to a hospital. Nevertheless, the firefighters have no regrets as they believed what they did was "100% right."
Firefighters James Kelley and Virgil Bloom responded to an emergency call for a child who was having a seizure on Feb. 27. But both firefighters were forced to make a necessary decision after they noticed that the toddler was turning blue and the ambulance was several miles away. "I looked at my driver [Bloom], without any hesitation, and I said, 'Turn it around, we're going to the hospital" firefighter Kelly said to ABC News.
The firefighters, both members of Virginia's Falmouth Volunteer Fire Department in Fredericksburg, loaded the 18-month-old toddler, Lena Nunamaker, into the fire truck. While heading to the hospital, Kelly hooked the toddler to an oxygen mask. Luckily, the toddler survived and is now in good condition.
Although the firefighters saved the toddler, the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department, which oversees the Falmouth volunteer squad, placed both firefighters on administrative leave because the vehicle the firefighters used to transport the patient was not licensed to transport medical patients.
If I ever have a FEMS emergency in DC, I hope Capt. James Kelley is in the truck: https://t.co/XmBFqIiHS4
— Topher Mathews (@GeorgetownMet) Marso 7, 2016
Stafford County Fire Chief Mark Lockhart explained to a press conference the decision was based on standard operating procedure protocol. Nevertheless, both firefighters are confident that they did nothing wrong. "She was completely limp in my arms," said Kelley, who also serves as a firefighter in Washington, D.C. "I'm 100 percent confident what I did was the right thing."
After reviewing the case of the firefighters, Lockhart confirmed to wtop on Monday that they already restored both firefighters to operational status. "It is my desire to conclude this matter with the leadership at Falmouth and get these members back to doing the good work of Stafford County fire and rescue," Lockhart said.
However, Lockhart said the investigation still continues and both firefighters could still face sanctions. The investigation team has 30 days to determine if the firefighters committed any violations.
