Hillsborough paramedics win right to work Bucs games

TAMPA — Nearly 50 paramedics watched closely this afternoon as lawyers launched highly technical arguments, parsing the meaning of Florida statutes, county ordinances and union bylaws.

At issue: Who gets to treat drunks, sunstroke victims and severely injured NFL players at Tampa Bay Buccaneers home games.

The city of Tampa’s paramedics have gotten these off-duty jobs, considered a plum moonlighting gig, for decades. Hillsborough County paramedics have been clamoring for a piece of the action.

The county paramedics prevailed when, after an hour of debate, the Tampa Sports Authority sided with them in a 6-5 vote.

"This really is a question of fairness," said County Commissioner Jim Norman, who sits on the authority. "It's the right thing to do."

Next up: possibly a court fight between the city and county firefighters’ unions, which represent the paramedics.

"Either side that loses is going to go file a lawsuit," said authority member Frank DeBose.

-- Mike Brassfield, Times staff writer