New Mexico: “A group of firefighters and rescue workers who responded to a pipeline explosion near Carlsbad that killed 12 people three years ago have filed a lawsuit against El Paso Natural Gas Company.” The lawsuit, filed on behalf of 24 firefighters and rescue workers, “says the plaintiffs suffered physical and emotional pain and were subjected to horrific traumatizing circumstances while fighting the fire and trying to help the victims.” (“Firefighters, Rescue Workers Sue El Paso Natural Gas”, KRQE.com, Jul. 1). Reader Daniel White comments: “While it is true that the subject pipeline accident was indeed horrific and killed several members of a family camping nearby, isn’t it expected that firefighters and rescue workers will observe horrible things in their day-to-day jobs? Don’t such things ‘come with the territory’ so to speak? … Firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs and other rescue professionals chose to pursue such careers knowing full well that their jobs involve routinely responding to tragedy.” The mayor of Carlsbad apparently agrees (“Mayor Opposes Pipeline Explosion Lawsuit”, KRQE.com, Jul. 21). Update Apr. 1, 2004: judge dismisses case.

Filed under: firefighters, New Mexico, personal responsibility, workplace