Fainting Fireman Sues to Get Job Back

[March 07, 2008]  SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) -- A firefighter fired for fainting is suing the city of Saratoga Springs. Nathaniel King lost his job with the city fire department in December when he failed to complete newly required paramedic training, according to a lawsuit filed against the city in state Supreme Court in Saratoga County. Now he's suing to get his job back and for back pay.

The problem is, needles are his nemesis. During paramedic training, King fainted dead away every time he had to give an injection or start an intravenous line.

In the lawsuit, King says he successfully completed emergency medical technician training before being hired, but the department later increased job requirements to include paramedic training. That meant he had to use needles.

Assistant Fire Chief John Betor said he couldn't discuss the specifics of King's case, but he was aware of the lawsuit.

In his court filing, King says Betor tried to help him with his needle aversion. He says he even tried hypnotism on Betor's advice, but it didn't help.

Public Safety Commissioner Ronald Kim said he can't discuss pending litigation.

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Information from: The Daily Gazette, http://www.dailygazette.com/

[Associated Press]

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