'Overweight' firefighter sacked

[Setarime]

Trade union officials have criticised the treatment of a firefighter in Aberdeen who was sacked because he was overweight.

Firefighters in north east Scotland are threatening industrial action over the case of Kevin Ogilvie.

The Fire Brigades Union said Mr Ogilvie, who is in his 40s, should have been offered alternative duties.

Grampian Fire and Rescue said it had a clear fitness policy and had reached its decision after offering support.

BBC NEWS | Scotland | North East/N Isles | 'Overweight' firefighter sacked

The water fairies would take industrial action at there bein too many fires if they could!! I am sure it wasnt just that he was overweight, he obviously couldnt pass his fitness test! There would have been an uproar if he had been kept on and then someone had died because he wasnt fit enought to rescue them from a fire.

[Formerdevil]

That, most certainly, is a job that you must be physically fit to do properly.

Police work would, for me, be the other one.

[TGLucario]

firefighters need to be fit...maybe if the people who sacked him...helpped him to lose weight

it was a good move to sack him!

[Formerdevil]

"Grampian Fire and Rescue said it had a clear fitness policy and had reached its decision after offering support."

He does not have a leg to stand on. He must have known the policy and refused the help. I am only in my first year of law school and know that this is cut and dry.

[Crystal]

He should have been put on other duties, lol Seta we used to call them water fairies when I was on my ambulance training as a student nurse

[Coppaforlife]

If the job requires a certain level of compotency, as far as performing job duties then so be it

[Formerdevil]

Originally Posted by Coppaforlife

If the job requires a certain level of compotency, as far as performing job duties then so be it

I, for one, totally agree!! That kind of job is very physical and if you get "winded" or just can not keep up you may cause harm to yourself and others.