Questions are being raised about a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue firefighter who stole an ambulance but was not charged in the incident.
The theft happened in October, Action News Jax reports. A firefighter having a mental health crisis and was being transported to the hospital where she was to be evaluated during a temporary involuntary commitment. Once at the hospital, she hid in the unit and hopped in the front and drove it away.
The firefighter drove the vehicle to the home of a JFRD battalion chief and sought refuge. There, the chief and his wife helped calm the woman down. Meanwhile, fire department personnel told Jacksonville sheriff’s deputies not to press charges against the woman.
JFRD said that the department was not seeking special treatment. They sought mental health treatment for their coworker as they would for anyone else and returned her to the hospital.
Here’s the department’s statement to Action News Jax:
“Everyday, firefighters face unspeakable danger and are routinely exposed to horrific and traumatic events. That constant exposure can have lasting impacts on firefighters’ mental and physical wellbeing. Left untreated, issues like depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can lead to suicide. As trained medical professionals, JFRD personnel are required to ensure that ANY patient needing medical care receives treatment at the appropriate facility, whether that is a civilian or in this case, an off-duty firefighter. As evidenced by the BWC, the on-scene JFRD Battalion Chief identified signs of an emerging mental health issue in the off-duty firefighter. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Battalion Chief then intervened, advocating for the off-duty firefighter to be transported to an appropriate mental health facility for treatment.”
