By Charlie Gall
The Daily Record
ABERDEEN, Scotland — A veteran firefighter has been sacked because bosses claim he is too fat.
Kevin Ogilvie, 46, was dismissed after 22 years in the job when fire chiefs insisted he wasn’t fit for duty.
At one point, his weight had ballooned to more than 20 stones.
Now colleagues are considering strike action to get the award-winning fireman back on the front line.
Kevin is said to be embarrassed and has been lying low since he was axed.
The Fire Brigades Union slammed the move, saying he should have been transferred to another department. A meeting will be held in two weeks to discuss the possibility of a strike.
Yesterday, Kevin wasn’t speaking at the Aberdeen flat he shares with his wife Linda.
He is said to be popular among his workmates and regarded as a “very good fireman”.
Less than two years ago, Kevin was honoured for his long service by Lord Provost John Reynolds after clocking up 20 years on the job.
But since then, he has been fighting bosses over his future at the city’s Central Fire Station.
Colleagues said Kevin had been winning his battle of the bulge but then put the weight he’d lost back on.
FBU secretary Alan Paterson said the decision to sack him was simply “discrimination”.
He added: “In management eyes, he doesn’t fit the model firefighter image.
“We think it’s discrimination just to sack someone because they are fat.
“Management decided to terminate his contract because they deem him unsuitable for operational duties. Our member is in shock - he just didn’t see it going this far.
“It’s a fitness issue although, rather than redeploy him to a support department, they’ve taken the easier option of sacking him without compensation on the grounds of incapability.”
Alan claimed management could have easily found Kevin another role.
He said: “We believe they’re determined to set a precedent but the issue is further aggravated because the fire board refused to hear his appeal.”
Grampian Fire and Rescue area manager Andy Couselant insisted policy had been followed to the letter.
He said: “Our priority will always be the health, safety and well-being of staff and the communities we serve.”
Two weeks ago, the Record told how Stirling firefighter Sandy Gardner, 46, was put on a desk job when he tipped
‘In bosses’ eyes, he doesn’t fit the model firefighter image’
Copyright 2008, The Daily Record