-
And Yet Another Black Eye
There is another sex scandal involving a fire chief, not to be confused with the one reported yesterday from West Haven, Connecticut. This one involves a chief who allegedly took advantage of a junior firefighter. Ex-fire chief impregnated teenage girl
Read More » -
Connecticut Firefighter Accused of Long Term Sexual Abuse
A volunteer firefighter from West Haven, Connecticut has been charged with a bizarre sex abuse case that goes back over ten years. West Haven firefighter arrested for sex abuse scandal
Read More » -
YCMTSU PA Fire Department Sues… Oh You’ll Just Have To Read It
We have seen firefighters sue fire departments. We have seen fire departments sue firefighters. We have seen fire districts sue fire departments and fire departments sue municipalities. We have even seen fire departments sue other fire departments. But here is a first: a fire department suing itself… sort of… The Macungie Volunteer Fire Department in Macungie, Pennsylvania has filed suit against the Macungie Fire Company over what it claims are nearly $17,000 in bills paid and repairs made to the fire station they both share. While the two organizations share the same building (ie. a fire station), the Fire Company…
Read More » -
Cal Fire Chief Charged with Vehicular Manslaughter Over Texting Related Crash
Prosecutors allege that Chief McClelland was texting at the time of the accident.
Read More » -
Illinois Firefighter Sues Fellow Firefighter for Injuries
An Illinois firefighter injured during a controlled burn has filed a negligence suit against a fellow firefighter and his fire department. William J. Wirtel was injured on January 29, 2011 during a controlled burn in the Village of Washington Park when a pumper driven by Odell Smith drove away while still connected to a hydrant. Wirtel was struck by the hose. The complaint alleges: “As a direct result of defendant, Odell Smith’s, operation of The Fire Engine, the hose line became taut and disconnected from the hydrant” and “As a direct result of defendant, Odell Smith’s, operation of The Fire…
Read More » -
Stamford Volunteer Fire Departments Sue to Challenge Consolidation
Three volunteer fire departments in Stamford, Connecticut have filed suit to challenge the city’s efforts to consolidate them into a single, unified fire department that includes the city’s career firefighters. The three departments, Turn of River, Long Ridge and Springdale Volunteer Fire Departments, are seeking to challenge the validity of recent charter changes adopted last November by the voters. The suit was filed last month in Superior Court. Attorney Mark Kovack, who represents the three plaintiff departments, was quoted by the Stamford Advocate as saying “We do have bona fide, serious legal reservations as to whether the changes are constitutional……
Read More » -
LA County Assistant Chief Filmed Drinking On Lunch Break
An LA County Fire official is facing some tough questions following a “gotchya” undercover surveillance team filmed him drinking on his lunch break. The man, identified as Assistant Chief Vic Mesrobian, appears to actually be a civilian employee in charge of the department’s information management program. Dave Statter has more details, and here is the “gotchya” news piece.
Read More » -
YCMTSU New Jersey Secretary Claims Officer Made Death Threat
A fire district secretary in New Jersey has filed suit against the district, a volunteer fire company, a former commissioner, a current commissioner and a deputy chief alleging she has been sexually harassed and had her life threatened, all because she reported the former district official for watching child pornography and masturbating in her office. The bizarre suit was filed by Deborah Nelson, 53, last week. It names the Board of Commissioners of Franklin Fire District 1, the Millstone Valley Fire Department, former Fire Commissioner Robert R. Scheer Jr., Fire Commissioner James Wickman and Millstone Valley Deputy Chief Douglas Walp…
Read More » -
Family Ties and Chain of Command
Here is today’s burning question: I have been volunteering with a small rural fire district for about 11 years. I was promoted to lieutenant by the previous chief, but since he left 7 years ago I have had nothing but trouble with the new chief. I won’t bother you with the details, but my problem is this: My wife joined the department last summer. Last week out of the blue my chief told me that although she is allowed to volunteer, she is not allowed to respond to incidents where I play a supervisory role! I make about 60% of…
Read More » -
Texas Firefighter Claims ADA Discrimination Due To PTSD
A Texas firefighter has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Georgetown alleging the fire department failed to reasonably accommodate his line-of-duty post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Read More » -
Staffing Now At Center Of Columbus Georgia Criminal Probe
Additional details are emerging about the police investigation of the Columbus Fire & EMS that we posted about last week. It appears the primary focus of the investigation relates to the staffing level of the first in engine at a fatal daycare fire in 2010, and whether documents were either falsified or removed. The fire occurred on February 26, 2010, and claimed the life of 23-month-old Michael Dubard. Firefighters made numerous heroic rescues of other children during the blaze. A total of nine children were in the day care at the time of the fire, which was only allowed to…
Read More » -
Wildland Firefighter LODD Prompts OSHA General Duty Citations
The death of a wildland firefighter in 2012 has prompted two administrative actions by OSHA, one a $14,000 citation against the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association (CPTPA), and the other a Notice of Unsafe or Unhealthful Working Conditions issued to the U.S. Forest Service. Firefighter Anne Veseth, 20, was killed on August 12, 2012 while battling the Steep Corner Fire near Orofino, Idaho. She was struck in the head by a falling tree and died instantly. Veseth was a college student working her second summer as a seasonal firefighter for the US Forest Service. The Steep Corner Fire was being managed…
Read More »