DETROIT — Donors all over the world are sending blankets to a Detroit paramedic after news broke that he was being punished for giving a blanket to a cold fire victim.
Detroit EMS paramedic Jeff Gaglio was responding to a fire, which forced an elderly, disabled man wearing very little clothes from his home. Gaglio gave the man a blanket to him warm.
He later found out that he was facing departmental charges for giving away city property without prior permission.
EMS Chief Jerald James said that even though the blankets were donated to the city, Gaglio still needed permission.
A number of internet news outlets posted the story, going viral over the weekend, according to Detroit News.
A Facebook page dedicated to the “Blanket Scandal” drew hundreds of comments.
People have been sending not only blankets to Gaglio but also letters of complaint to Chief James and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.
“You have embarrassed yourself and your department,” Joseph Hoefling, a Va. paramedic, wrote in a letter to James. “Resignation may be a very good consideration on your part at this time.”
Off the web, activists have organized a blanket-donation rally in front of the Detroit Fire Department’s headquarters for Friday afternoon.