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Firefighter In Hot Water After Heroic Actions

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Apr 25, 2008 5:58 am US/Eastern

Firefighter In Hot Water After Heroic Actions

Reporting
Valerie Levesque
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― When no other emergency units were close enough for a medical rescue, a Philadelphia firefighter took matters into his own hands. He saved a woman's life, but now he is in trouble of his own.

"If this man did not react the way that he did and so quickly, I would not be standing here," Michelle Smith said.

The man Smith is referring to is a lieutenant with Engine #72 in North Philadelphia. The lieutenant is in trouble for actions he took when he responded to Smith's 911 call. Smith was at a friend's house in Logan when she had an asthma attack.

The lieutenant transported Smith to the hospital in a fire truck, which is against department policy.

According to sources, the squad that responded called dispatchers who told them the ambulance was 12-15 minutes away.

However, Smith said that she did not have that much time, saying, "I don't think I had five."

The lieutenant has been taken out of his fire house and transferred to another engine company.

"It's an outrage, I understand rules are rules, in some cases, you have to make exceptions," Smith said.

The captain at Engine #72 has placed the lieutenant's name in for an award for saving Smith's life.

Officials from the Philadelphia Fire Department declined comment. The firefighter's union said they are waiting to see if any disciplinary action will be taken before they comment on the incident.

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