NYC EMT Controversy: Austin Lee

Reports indicate that Jason Green and Melissa Jackson (boths EMT's under the FDNY) "[took] an oath to assist others whenever they're in need of emergency medical care..."  If that is the case, then they were clearly negligent of their oath and should lose their jobs immediately.  The only rationale I could think of to excuse their behavior is if the EMT's were in immediate danger of physical violence.

I do not suggest that emergency personnel have a responsibility to perform their duties when off duty.  I know that many of them will gladly pitch in when things happen, but forcing a requirement is a little too far-reaching.  In this case, it was obviously during a regular shift and Green and Jackson were in uniform on a break.  Had they been in plain clothes no one would have known and this issue would not have surfaced.

If a police officer is at a restaurant with his children and an armed robbery were to take place, should the officer abandon his children to corral the robber or should he attempt to remove his children from a dangerous situation?  The answer is simple, you protect your family first.  However, if there was a requirement for him to act regardless of his duty status, he could lose his job if he protected his family first.

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