Manitoba Government sues 6 volunteer firefighters for negligence

[Ken07AOVette]

This will definately change recruitment. Terrible presidence to set.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manit...ium%3Dsharebar

If ever there was a need for something like Gofundme

[bushnell]

Say goodbye to any chance that they will find new volunteers in the future

[Redfrog]

Don't these volunteer fire dept. have insurance or protection from this sort of thing?
Sounds like typical shotgun approach to insurance claims. Name everyone in a lawsuit and hope something sticks to someone. I seriously doubt it will be successful.

No doubt the volunteers do not need the stress regardless.

[buckbrush]

Wow.

I was saddened to give up my red hat when we moved to the country and I really took pride in the volunteer FD that we had. After reading this I honestly don’t know how I would feel about joining if we ever moved closer to town.

I know how important a volunteer FD is to a small community but I wouldn’t want to be liable for damages.

Sad.

[Ken07AOVette]

We don't even have coverage if we are injured at a fire. No coverage in any way. I would be out for blood. There should be indemnity.
You can bet there will be phone calls all over the provinces tomorrow.

[Redfrog]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

We don't even have coverage if we are injured at a fire. No coverage in any way.

WHAT???

If you hire your neighbour to fix your fence he has to be covered in case of injury.


That's just plain irresponsible.

[Ken07AOVette]

I hope they were not negligent and alleged

[tri777]

This is blood boiling, angering..like a good samaritan being sued for not providing enough funds
to someone he gave it to..total insanity, how can any sleep at night take place in this type of evil hearted people kinds?

[elkhunter11]

I would be surprised if there is a single volunteer firefighter in Manitoba by the end of the week after this. Why would anyone risk their life , only to put themself in a position to be sued?

[Dewey Cox]

You can't stop people from attempting to sue.
But the firefighters should have personal liability insurance. And a judge still has to rule in favor.
And who knows, maybe they were negligent?

[JareS]

Originally Posted by Dewey Cox

You can't stop people from attempting to sue.
But the firefighters should have personal liability insurance. And a judge still has to rule in favor.
And who knows, maybe they were negligent?

Exactly, can sue anyone for anything, no matter how frivolous.

If they lose the court case, THEN it becomes an issue.

[tri777]

Originally Posted by Dewey Cox

And who knows, maybe they were negligent?

Suing Samaritans that volunteer..extreme in low life..
The volunteers should now put those low forms of oxygen breathers on a
"Do Not call/respond to" list!!

[vcmm]

i'll supply them with hot dogs for the next fire. What a crock of turd. Judge and prosecutor need a punch in the mouth if their wrong and be sued for everything they own.

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I would be surprised if there is a single volunteer firefighter in Manitoba by the end of the week after this. Why would anyone risk their life , only to put themself in a position to be sued?

Not just Manotiba.

Out of civic duty. I have never gone once because I get a kick or a thrill out of it. I did it because my Dad did. My son did because I did. I still will but this will be on everyone's minds.

[tri777]

'Volunteers'
and yet:

"The plaintiffs say that the town and firefighters each owed them .."

[HunterDave]

The details about exactly what the Firefighters did/didn’t do are pretty vague.......too vague to make an informed decision as to whether or not they were negligent in any way IMO. The statement of claim states something along the lines of not reacting in a timely manner. So what did they do, take their time and decide not to return right away? There are too many scenarios that I can think of and if they were total idiots and neglected their responsibilities........

Volunteer or not, if they consciously neglected to perform their duties as they should have within reasonable expectations, then yeah, I think that they can and should be held accountable.

[tri777]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

The details about exactly what the Firefighters did/didn’t do are pretty vague.......too vague to make an informed decision as to whether or not they were negligent in any way IMO. The statement of claim states something along the lines of not reacting in a timely manner. So what did they do, take their time and decide not to return right away? There are too many scenarios that I can think of and if they were total idiots and neglected their responsibilities........

Volunteer or not, if they consciously neglected to perform their duties as they should have within reasonable expectations, then yeah, I think that they can and should be held accountable.

And what if all volunteers said in unison:
"We can get sued now?
Screw this, we're out" !

Now what?

[NinjaHunter]

dam if you do, dam if you don't.

I'll be pretty surprised if someone stills volunteer for fire fighting after this.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by tri777

And what if all volunteers said in unison:
"We can get sued now?
Screw this, we're out" !

Now what?

The smaller towns and villages would find themselves with no fire protection at all. Can you imagine the fire insurance premiums that everyone would have to pay?

[tri777]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

The smaller towns and villages would find themselves with no fire protection at all.
Can you imagine the fire insurance premiums that everyone would have to pay?

And suing them accomplishes what then?

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by tri777

And what if all volunteers said in unison:
"We can get sued now?
Screw this, we're out" !

Now what?

Anyone that thinks that they can’t be sued for negligence, volunteer Firefighter or not, is dreaming in technicolor. This is not something new. If you cause an accident due to your negligence, what are you going to say, you can’t hold me accountable because I’m just a volunteer? Sorry, that’s not going to cut it.

I’m not saying that these fellas are at fault, I don’t know that, but there is a possibility that they didn’t do what was expected of them. Maybe there are people out there that are lackadaisical about their duties and this will be a wake up call. Maybe those folks will say in unison, “we’d better do what’s expected of us or we’ll get sued.”

[6.5 shooter]

Burn baby burn...and bring hotdogs....Total B,,,s. Good Samaritan clause should kick in ??

[MooseRiverTrapper]

Pretty sad. Imagine they will go after the captain that said turn the alarms off. Sets a precedent.

[tri777]

Well, here's to hoping this was was looked into:

"The Hotel fire broke out in a pile of recycling and cardboard boxes at the back of the building..
the hotel owner..lost money that was set to go to the bank and an ATM that was stocked with cash."
---
Fire just breaks out like that then huh..and in the back of the place..
flame source please Mr.Leslie Robertson, thx.

[Cement Bench]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Anyone that thinks that they can’t be sued for negligence, volunteer Firefighter or not, is dreaming in technicolor. This is not something new. If you cause an accident due to your negligence, what are you going to say, you can’t hold me accountable because I’m just a volunteer? Sorry, that’s not going to cut it.

I’m not saying that these fellas are at fault, I don’t know that, but there is a possibility that they didn’t do what was expected of them. Maybe there are people out there that are lackadaisical about their duties and this will be a wake up call. Maybe those folks will say in unison, “we’d better do what’s expected of us or we’ll get sued.”

not sure if it is still the law but there used to be a duty to a rescuer law in Alberta, might have to look up some cases and see if it still applies

Cement Bench

[brslk]

"According to the suit, MLL had eight video lottery terminals in the hotel bar, and the Crown corporation estimates the cost of the machines lost in the blaze at $149,600. The hotel's owners say the building and contents were worth more than $2 million.

At the time of the fire, hotel owner Leslie Robertson told CBC News he lost three days' worth of money that was set to go to the bank and an ATM that was stocked with cash."

Hahahaha to say that the building and contents were worth more than $2m is a laugh to anyone that has been there. The place was an absolute crap hole that should have been torn down years ago.

It's also awfully suspicious that he had three days worth of money and an ATM stocked with cash right before it burns... no... that's not suspicious at all.. hahaha

Hopefully the owner will be charged with arson.

[masalma]

Originally Posted by JareS

Exactly, can sue anyone for anything, no matter how frivolous.

If they lose the court case, THEN it becomes an issue.

Sadly the lawyer costs and stress they will go through for the next few years is same as losing. Been sued before just from some pos looking to make quick cash and hoping for a settlement, 5 years and over 50k in lawyer fees and then found not guilty. And no way to recoup any of the costs.

[ReconWilly]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

The smaller towns and villages would find themselves with no fire protection at all. Can you imagine the fire insurance premiums that everyone would have to pay?

Sounds like a great way to backdoor agenda 21 and 2030 for sustainability,one of the key focus points of the agendas is to get people off the land and into the cities...

[sns2]

Beyond bad...

[LeroyvdH]

Total BS. Well I guess you'll have to sign a paper before you have them fight your fire.