I am at a loss for words. I started to reply to this thread at least 3 times since the incident occured. Each time I read what I posted, thought three times and deleted. Let's hope this one gets it right.
GRRRRRRRRRR Ok, that's done, but what on Earth were they thinking? And I mean the Chief on down.
I assume this act of sheer stupidity would only have been more likely if he was responding to an actual emergency instead of a Thrill ride. If this level of judgement is portrayed under routine circumstances, would anyone expect more clarity of thought under the stress of an actual response? What is the Department culture overall? For instance; How many Beers can you drink before you have to ride in the passenger seat?
According to the press releases this 20 year old had been a member for "almost 6 months" Did he get to drive the quarter of a million dollar apparatus on Day 1, and now have a whopping 6 months expereince operating Emergency Vehicles? Or was this the first time in the Big Red Truck? How does a new Rookie Firefighter even understand the operation of this kind of apparatus, or is the only goal to "Drive"? What is the training program that even allows this, paid or volunteer? With NFIS, CEVO and all the rest, there has got to be something available to them, otherwise let's let the operators Insurance cover the replacement cost. Maybe the Chief could cover the deductable since he "authorized" this request.
Unless I missed some new change in the law, a 3 year old would have to be in a child Safety Seat, and if he wasn't, why are there no charges filed for that violation?
The article states that the Firefighter saw the signals and assumed they were malfunctioning? What kind of messed up thought process says ...Assume it's broken, run the flashing red lights, ignore the bells, unless you see a train in front of your face? How about Step 1; Stop at the flashing red lights, 2; See if you can hear a loud blaring horn over the clanging bell sounds before 3; Going over a marked railroad crossing.
That would be reckless operation wouldn't it?
I'm all for Cops giving us a break, but at the same time, this person needs to be held acocuntable for nearly killing 3 other people, costing the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost apparartus and the protection it afforded them, not to mention the potential derailment of a train. This incident did NOT occur as a part of an Emergency Response, and he should be held to the same standards as the Public if not higher!
You and I would get a ticket for careless sliding off the road in 2 feet of snow!!!
A quote from the Chief stated that he faced no disciplinary actions at all, something about "he's family and will stay family"? Great, how about the general public? Surely this black eye will stay swollen for a long time. If this department had a true need for, oh, say a Brush Truck, new Ambulance, Heavy Rescue.... you're going to think that the taxpaying public won't "punish" the whole department and vote down a Bond? >Cause and effect <, The Community suffers becuase of the Brotherhood. The same brotherhood that let this 20 year old exercise such a blatant lack of judgement.
Ok, I'm done with my off topic rant. Please forward this to the Department if you have an Email or URL, I couldn't find it myself of I would have in a heartbeat.