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Disturbing but Not Surprising News from the Cincinnati Fire Department: Firefighters Gone Wild
Nearly nine months ago, I stumbled upon the idea of creating a database to look at the legal issues confronting the fire service. No one really had the information I was looking for – and the idea fascinated me. The initial results from the database will be published in the September issue of Firehouse magazine. In the process of looking at the various cases and legal issues facing fire departments, fire chiefs and firefighters – I became aware of what some are calling an epidemic of misbehavior by firefighters. Two separate newspapers in different parts of the country have used…
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FD Resistance to Merger in PA Leads To A Different Merger and a Lawsuit
The hard financial times of the past few years have led many jurisdictions to consider restructuring, consolidating, and merging their fire departments. Nationwide, parts of the country that never considered regionalization before have taken bold steps in an effort to provide a more economical level of services. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development there have been approximately 75 consolidations and mergers of fire and EMS departments in Pennsylvania since 1998, affecting roughly 162 fire and EMS organizations. The movement to consolidate goes against not only the classic resistance to change that has long been a hallmark of the…
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Fire Chief Sues Board of Fire Commissioners for Whistleblower Violation
In my line of work, I see a lot of fire chiefs who are under attack. The attacks come in a variety of forms (grievances, law suits, ethics complaints, no-confidence votes) and for a variety of reasons (including some self-inflicted wounds by the chief). Usually part of the problem is disgruntled firefighters. The rest of the time, disgruntled firefighters are the entire problem. So when I hear about a case where a fire chief is under attack – and the firefighters actually have the fire chief’s back – it is truly noteworthy. In South Carolina, the Holly Springs Fire-Rescue District…
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Lawrence Mayor’s Comments Infuriate Firefighters
Economically depressed Lawrence, Massachusetts has seen its share of fires – and controversies – over the years, but a recent public statement by Mayor William Lantigua has angered the few remaining firefighters that Lawrence still has, igniting another controversy. A number of area news sources have confirmed that the Mayor publicly asked for volunteers to help videotape his firefighters to determine if they were purposefully responding and working at fires in a less than diligent manner. The request comes after 23 additional firefighters were laid off and three more stations closed on July 1. At a meeting on August 11, Neighboring communities expressed…
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Gambling Charges Brought against BC in South San Francisco
Last Friday, a South San Francisco Battalion Chief was charged with running a gambling operation while on duty. Chief James Selvitella is alleged to have used city phones, computers and work time to further the enterprise, and came to light after the fire chief learned that a subordinated owed him $30,000 in gambling debts. The operation is alleged to have handled hundreds of thousands of dollars in bets daily. News reports indicate that Selvitella was fired in February, 2008 over the gambling allegations – and in a move that makes me think that “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up”…
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Seattle Firefighter Under Investigation for Falsely Claiming a Disabling Injury
A Seattle firefighter’s $12.8 million judgment against the city as well as his pension may be in jeopardy as the result of an investigation into just how serious his job-related injuries actually are. In 2003, Firefighter Mark Jones fell down a pole hole at Station 33. It was not his normal station and he was not familair with the station layout. Jones got up during the night to use the bathroom and fell down the unguarded pole hole resulting in head injuries; back injuries; fractured pelvis, vertebrae, and ribs; and internal injuries to his liver, lungs and bladder. A similar accident had occurred at the…
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Judge Blocks FDNY From Hiring 300 Probies
Controversial Judge Nicholas Garaufis has dropped another depth charge on the FDNY, blocking the department from hiring 300 new firefighter recruits. Judge Garaufis has previosuly ruled that FDNY purposefully discriminated against minority applicants in its earlier tests. The proposed 300 new firefighters would have come from a brand new testing process. In his latest decision he said the city offered no proof that the new test was free from discrimination or sufficiently job related to pass muster. Interestingly, 35% of the new class would have been minority candidates. However, under a previous order Judge Garaufis ruled that 3 of every 5 new hires be a minority as a…
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Louisville EMT In Prison for Manslaughter Catches a Break
Tammy Brewer, the Louisville Metro (Kentucky) EMT who was originally charged with murder following an ambulance crash on April 3, 2008 that killed a patient, is in the news again. Last December, she pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and accepted a 10 year sentence. It appears she may be catching a break, and may have the opportunity to be released on probation in about a year. This tragic case is one of twelve I am tracking since 2001 where fire and EMS personnel have been charged criminally with murder or manslaughter for on-duty actions.
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Michigan Appeals Court Dismisses All But One Firefighter From Personal Injury Suit
The Court of Appeals of Michigan handed down a ruling last week that dismissed a fire department and several firefighter defendants from a personal injury suit, but left one firefighter now to face a jury. The plaintiff in the suit, John Cheek, owned a Subway sandwich franchise. On February 8, 2007, he allowed members of the Clinton Township Fire Department to use an outside water spigot as part of a training exercise being conducted nearby. The water was needed as part of a breaching and breaking drill. Cheek alleged the firefighters carelessly left the water running, which in February in…
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NJ Rescue Squad Accused of Partying with Prostitutes
Yet another emergency organization finds itself at odds with local officials over some pretty bizzare accusations. The Avenel-Colonia First Aid Squad finds itself facing accusations related to the conduct of several of its members.
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Indiana EMT On The Run After Sex Assault Allegations
An Indiana EMT is now a fugative on the run after a patient alleged that he sexually assaulted her last week during an ambulance transportation. Jason Jordan, 27, of Terre Haute is believed to be with his wife. Jordan was fired by his employer, Trans Care Ambulance, after the allegations surfaced.
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Coverup Alleged in Lawsuit Filed over FDNY Assault
A brawl between two firefighters in their Queens fire station on July 30, 2009 has resulted in a lawsuit being filed in Queens Supreme Court. FF Keith Thompson alleges that FF Stephen Buonavita assaulted him, and that their Lieutenant, Charles Piranio, attempted to cover up the incident. The beating was so bad that Thompson allegedly needed reconstructive surgury. Piranio allegedly ordered firefighters to take Thompson to the hospital in a personal vehicle and to say he was injured in a bar brawl. Buonavita has already pled guilty to assault and disorderly conduct charges, and was required to reimburse Thompson for his…
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