The Suffolk Fire Experience - Doc 307 Halesworth Firefighter Vacancies
Interested in other Suffolk Firefighter tales then check out “The Suffolk Hyde Affair” athttp://thesuffolkhydeaffair.blogspot.com/
East Anglian Daily Times, Thursday 15th October 1998 Page 7.
Sacked fireman wins his job back
By Alan Cooksedge
A PART-TIME firefighter has won his job back after being sacked for driving his car to a call-out in a manner which allegedly brought the fire service into disrepute.
Eddie Brown, 34, who has been a retained firefighter at Sudbury for four years, was dismissed by Suffolk Fire Authority chief Hewitt Alcock in June following a disciplinary hearing.
At the hearing it was claimed the firefighter’s driving had “harassed and intimidated” a couple in their car.
But a three-strong appeals committee, headed by Suffolk County Council protection committee chairman Peter Monk, has now upheld the firefighter’s appeal and ordered his reinstatement.
Mr Brown is a £30,000-a-year building site agent for a Thetford company and turns out at nights and weekends as a retained firefighter.
“I was gobsmacked when I was originally told I was being suspended and investigated on these allegations,” said Mr Brown, who was backed by the Fire brigades Union (FBU) at his appeal,
Mr Brown added he was alleged to have driven unreasonably on Sudbury's one-way system only a few weeks after he had served a suspension from duty for using flashing headlights on his car, a practice which had earlier been outlawed by the fire authority.
Mr Brown said he had been among a number of local firefighters who had wired up their vehicles to allow the main lamps to flash alternatively in order to ease their passage through the town. He did not believe the local police had any problems with the practice, but accepted it had been banned by the service.
His second suspension, which eventually led to his dismissal, related to an alleged incident during last year but, claimed Mr Brown, at the appeal the authority had been unable to put forward evidence to substantiate its case.
It was alleged he had intentionally or recklessly, and without reasonable cause, pursued and pulled alongside a car being driven by a local shop worker and his wife. It was claimed his manner of driving was sufficient for the other driver to feel harassed and intimidated and caused damage to the reputation of the brigade.
Mr Brown yesterday said the authority had been unable to substantiate its case because he had been able to put forward worksheet records and other evidence, including fire call out details. It meant there was no evidence to link him to the allegations.
“I obviously feel very relieved this is all over and my name has been cleared, but the whole thing has been very distressing for me,” he added.
“But I am grateful for the diligence shown by the appeal hearing members, who have restored my faith in natural justice.
East Anglian Daily Times, Thursday 15th October 1998 Page 7.
Sacked fireman wins his job back
By Alan Cooksedge
A PART-TIME firefighter has won his job back after being sacked for driving his car to a call-out in a manner which allegedly brought the fire service into disrepute.
Eddie Brown, 34, who has been a retained firefighter at Sudbury for four years, was dismissed by Suffolk Fire Authority chief Hewitt Alcock in June following a disciplinary hearing.
At the hearing it was claimed the firefighter’s driving had “harassed and intimidated” a couple in their car.
But a three-strong appeals committee, headed by Suffolk County Council protection committee chairman Peter Monk, has now upheld the firefighter’s appeal and ordered his reinstatement.
Mr Brown is a £30,000-a-year building site agent for a Thetford company and turns out at nights and weekends as a retained firefighter.
“I was gobsmacked when I was originally told I was being suspended and investigated on these allegations,” said Mr Brown, who was backed by the Fire brigades Union (FBU) at his appeal,
Mr Brown added he was alleged to have driven unreasonably on Sudbury's one-way system only a few weeks after he had served a suspension from duty for using flashing headlights on his car, a practice which had earlier been outlawed by the fire authority.
Mr Brown said he had been among a number of local firefighters who had wired up their vehicles to allow the main lamps to flash alternatively in order to ease their passage through the town. He did not believe the local police had any problems with the practice, but accepted it had been banned by the service.
His second suspension, which eventually led to his dismissal, related to an alleged incident during last year but, claimed Mr Brown, at the appeal the authority had been unable to put forward evidence to substantiate its case.
It was alleged he had intentionally or recklessly, and without reasonable cause, pursued and pulled alongside a car being driven by a local shop worker and his wife. It was claimed his manner of driving was sufficient for the other driver to feel harassed and intimidated and caused damage to the reputation of the brigade.
Mr Brown yesterday said the authority had been unable to substantiate its case because he had been able to put forward worksheet records and other evidence, including fire call out details. It meant there was no evidence to link him to the allegations.
“I obviously feel very relieved this is all over and my name has been cleared, but the whole thing has been very distressing for me,” he added.
“But I am grateful for the diligence shown by the appeal hearing members, who have restored my faith in natural justice.
posted by Bert Blythburgh at 11:21 PM
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