Virginia Firefighters Suspended For Transporting Toddler on Engine Reinstated

The two Stafford County, Virginia firefighters who were suspended for having transported an 18-month old child to the hospital on an engine company, have been reinstated.

Captain James Kelley and Sergeant Virgil Bloom were reinstated yesterday as of 4 p.m. On February 27, 2016, they decided to transport an unconscious postictal toddler rather than wait for an EMS transport unit with an anticipated arrival time of 10-15 minutes. The transport was uneventful.

Captain Kelley was quoted by WUSA “I would not hesitate, I would do the exact same thing 100 percent 10 times out of 10. I sleep well at night knowing I provided good care to that young lady.”

 

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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