Firefighters and family members rallied on behalf of a Chelmsford firefighter who was injured in a fall while instructing at the state fire academy.
Nick Spinale, who was working a part-time job at the Massachussets Fire Academy in Stow on April 7, suffered serious injuries after a 40-foot fall while preparing for recruit training. Since then, the questions about who will cover his medical costs and sick time have gone unanswered because he was not working for Chelmsford at the time.
"Stand up and cover your guy, he was hurt training future firefighters," Nick's mother, Eleanor Spinale, said during the Chelmsford Select Board meeting on Monday, according to CBS Boston. "Without the academy, there aren't going to be any future firefighters."
During the meeting, she asked that the town provide additional sick time so that Spinale can recover from his extensive injuries. Last week, she said, he began the process to learn to walk again.
"It's a game of hot potato, and everyone is pointing the finger to make the first move," Rob Albon, president of Chelmsford Firefighters IAFF Local 1839, told the television station. "The issue we have now is that he's running out of sick time."
"A lot of the doctors are kind of calling him a walking miracle," Albon added. "What we'd like to happen is for Nick to be taken care of, first and foremost."
Among the suggestions from the state's fire union was a request for Chelmsford to cover six months of sick time and then allow the member's to donate their time to Spinale until he can return to work.
The board will examine their options and pick up the discussion at their next meeting on May 18.
