Aussie mum's encounter with firefighters at cafe sparks debate

"They came in but left immediately - it makes me so sad."

An incident at a local cafe between an Aussie mum and a group of firefighters has ignited a significant debate.

Jacqueline Fauvel started her story on TikTok by saying she had been waiting in line for coffee with her baby for 15 minutes when she witnessed a group of on-duty firefighters enter. 

"All these firefighters came up; they could see a lot of people there and left.

"That makes me so sad because I assume they have a short time for a break, and they have to be off and be available at all times just in case there's a fire."  

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Aussie mum sparks debate about who should be allowed to cut the line. Source: iStock/TikTok

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"That makes me so sad"

As she fights off her baby pulling at her hair, Jacqueline explains her other experiences with emergency service workers at cafes. 

"I've also seen paramedics wait in line and turn around because it's taken too long.

"I feel like people should just automatically let them in front. They work so hard, and all they want is a bloody coffee," she ends her rant. 

The video has since been viewed almost 76,000 times and has been championed by many frontline workers.

"As a Paramedic in Aus, I thank you!" wrote one.

"Sometimes it's our only opportunity to get a coffee, and we're always so nervous that the next job is only seconds away. We don't want a discount, just priority," another added. 

"We don't get 'breaks'; that pager goes off, we are gone, so your generosity in giving up your spot is highly appreciated," a third agreed.

A barista entered the chat: "We put the emergency service workers docket to the front as soon as the order is placed."

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"I have limited time as well"

Some wanted to, ahem, extinguish the idea of firies and paramedics going first by claiming firefighters were busy and had a "cushy" job. 

"They get the same length lunch break as everyone else. Not sure what the occupation has to do with it," one quipped.

"On the weekend, yes, but during the week, on my lunch, no. I have limited time as well," another agreed. 

"Nope, firies do barely anything and have loads of free time. They are NOT busy," wrote one (I hope they never get caught in an emergency).

Another claimed their brother had been a firefighter for almost 40 years and would boast about the "cushy deal their working conditions are".

While this person wouldn't be so kind at the cafe, they did want TikTok to know they are still a good Samaritan: "No, but I always get up for older people or anyone who needs a seat. People seem to have forgotten about that one."

Enter the firies

However, senior firefighter Dan Spooner, from Darlinghurst Fire Station in Sydney, defended his colleagues from the critics.

"We do not get any breaks," he told Yahoo News Australia. 

"When you're on duty, you're on duty. If you go to the coffee shop, you could be waiting in line, and an emergency call will go off, and we leave the coffee we bought. 

"But we would never go up the coffee line or expect anyone to let us."

Originally published as Aussie mum's encounter with firefighters at cafe sparks debate