Archives for lt-kelli-weeks

See all posts in the network tagged with lt-kelli-weeks

Quick Takes

Fireground audio of 3-alarm Oregon fire with water supply problems: Click here for the radio traffic from FireSceneAudio.com of the fire in a large vacant early 1900s building at the Fairview Training Center in Salem. Read more.

A welcome home from Haiti: Away for 15 days, Virginia Task Force 1 helped bring 16 people to safety who were trapped in the rubble of the earthquake in Haiti. Watch the welcome the team received yesterday evening in Fairfax County. Also, click here for a slideshow of the welcome home.

Report faults firefighters for not following procedures during fatal fire: Four members of the DeKalb County Fire Department, including two captains and a battalion chief remain suspended with pay after a report puts a lot of the blame on their shoulders for failing to find the burning home of a woman who called 911 early Sunday. They did return about five hours later to find the house destroyed and the woman dead. Read the report and more details.

Woman hit by hose falls off fire engine: You had probably seen the earlier story on this one from Cambridge, Massachusetts. A loyal reader and Firegeezer alert us to the update that an 82-year-old woman died when she was hit by hose that fell off the rig as the crew was responding. Click here.

Ambulance with a very bad reputation lives up to its past and burns: The ambulance that helped push New Jersey lawmakers to widen the states “Lemon Law” to include emergency vehicles self destructed yesterday and few are surprised. Click for pictures, video and the to read the story.

Mayor and fire department director finally talking in Memphis: With the TV station into its second week of stories on hiring practices at the Memphis Fire Department, city officials are now answering some questions about the arrest of 80 firefighters over the last five year. Click for the mayor and here for Director Alivin Benson.

Fire department takes $128,000 loss on new fire engine that was just too big: Pennsylvania’s Lawrence Park Fire Department (Erie County) sold its new, 37.9-foot-long Pierce Dash Pumper just 17-months after getting the $510,000 rig. They found Engine 284 too big for the township’s alleys. And the sale has caused some controversy. Read the story.

Omaha heating up again: Loyal reader Ron Young points us to some stories out of Omaha where there has been controversy over a proposed new fire boat and other items being purchased from a special fund. Click here for that one (and an earlier article here).

The news never stops in Bourne, Massachusetts: Just when we thought things might calm down after the resignation of Lt. Kelli Weeks, there is even more controversy in the Bourne Fire Department. The acting chief now has some allegations against him. Click here for that story. Also, the firefighters’ union has some harsh words for how the town selectmen handled the Weeks affair. Check it out.

Another blue light special: In Des Moines police say a Grand Junction volunteer firefighter apparently wants to also be a volunteer police officer. The cops say 29-year-old Richard Collogan was pulling people over with his blue light. Read the details.

The wife tells me I must run this one: She was charmed about the story of a 3-year-old boy who very effectively used 911 to help her grandmother who was having a seizure. Click here for the story from Maple Shade, New Jersey and here to listen to the call and meet Jaden Bolli. We need to get Jaden to teach everyone how to be that calm when calling 911.

It is not the CNN employee I expected to do this: If there was ever someone from CNN who I could easily see an old firehouse in New York to live in, it would be my friend, and fire buff extraordinaire, Vito Maggiolo. But the story at HuffingtonPost.com isn’t about Vito. It’s about Anderson Cooper paying $4.3 million for such a privilege. Click here for the story and pictures.

Fireground audio & video from Chicago 3-11: A very cold Steve Redick shot this fire in the cockloft of a large commercial building at 47th and King yesterday. Click here for the radio traffic from FireSceneAudio.com. You can read more about the fire here.

Posted by dave statter on January 29, 2010 • Filed under: 911, 911 Audio, Administration & Leadership, Bourne Fire Department, Chicago Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fireground Audio, Fires, Funding & Staffing, News, Police, Quick takes, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: 3-11, 4665 King Drive, 911, Alvin Benson, Anderson Cooper, blue light, Bourne, Cambridge, Chicago Fire Department, Chief Dan Doucette, Dave Statter, Des Moines, Erie County, Fairfview Traning Center, firefighter, freak accident, Grand Junction, Jaden Bolli, Lawrence Park Township Fire Department, Lt. Kelli Weeks, Maple Shade, Massachusetts, Memphis Fire Department, Nebraska, New Jersey, Omaha, Omaha Fire Department, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Pierce Dash pumper, Richard Collogan, Salem, STAter911.com, Steve Redick, Vito Maggiolo

Bourne lieutenant quits. Kelli Weeks, at center of controversy, submits resignation.

4 comments

Lt. Kellie Weeks was Ms. October, 2008, for a firefighter charity calendar.

Lt. Kelli Weeks was Ms. October, 2008, for a firefighter charity calendar.

Bourne, Massachusetts Lt. Kelli Weeks, at the center of the storm, is moving on. Capecodonline.com reports Lt. Weeks turned in her resignation a day after a disciplinary hearing was postponed for a third time. She is on paid administrative leave until the paper work is completed. The focus has been on Weeks since allegations she appeared on a video of a town drug surveillance while on duty.

Matthew Burke, who has been on the Bourne beat for months, breaks the news about the closing of this chapter of many months of controversy involving the fire department. Here are excerpts from today’s story:

Multiple town sources familiar with the negotiations said Weeks had cleaned out her locker at the department and had submitted her signed letter of resignation. The document still must be signed by other parties before it is official, (Town Counsel Robert) Troy said, which will most likely happen before Tuesday’s rescheduled disciplinary hearing.

It remains unclear whether Weeks will be given any severance or whether she will be able to apply for fire service jobs elsewhere. Troy said Weeks would be eligible for extended health benefits and money for accrued benefits.

Troy said that all of the issues between the fire department’s union and the town, and also between Weeks and the town, “had been worked out.” He said that once the resignation letter is signed by all parties it will become a public record. Troy said that town officials felt her resignation was “in the best interest of all parties.”

Weeks, 33, who came to the department in 2001, was promoted to lieutenant in 2006. Her 2008 salary was $72,059, according to town records. She is originally from Attleboro.

CapeCodOnline.com photo of Lt. Kelli Weeks.

Weeks has yet to comment on allegations levied against her by the police in November that she met with a suspected drug dealer while in uniform and on duty in May.Over the summer, Weeks’ fellow firefighters alleged a townwide cover-up, saying she was not sanctioned to be at the drug surveillance operation and also that public safety was at risk. Town officials originally denied the May incident had taken place, but reversed course after the Times obtained fire union logs that detailed years of alleged drug and/or alcohol abuse and also after no action was taken when the incidents were reported to the fire department and other town officials.

Weeks was placed on leave for several months but has been back with the department the past three months, fire officials have said. Since she has been back to work, her duties have changed, and new complaints about her behavior and work performance have been reported to town officials.

Weeks rushed away and declined to comment after her abbreviated disciplinary hearing Thursday afternoon.

Posted by dave statter on January 9, 2010 • Filed under: Bourne Fire Department, News • Tagged: Bourne, drug surveillance, Lt. Kelli Weeks, Massachusetts, Robert Troy

Finally, some answers in Bourne. Details emerge on allegations against Lt. Kelli Weeks.

3 comments

Ms. October, 2008, Lt. Kelli Weeks.

Previous STATter911.com coverage of the Bourne Fire Department

Cape Cod Times reporter Matthew Burke has had a busy few months keeping tabs of the various scandals involving the Bourne Fire Department. At the center of this ongoing drama is a name that has surfaced often, Kelli Weeks. She is a 33-year-old lieutenant who is also married to Deputy Chief Paul Weeks. Weeks, who once posed for a female firefighter charity calendar, has been under investigation since the spring.

It took a while, but Burke was able to determine weeks ago that the probe centered around Kelli Weeks showing up in the middle of a drug investigation by the Bourne Police Department. But it wasn’t until this past week that reporter Burke has been able to tell us the details. They come from a memo addressed to Weeks informing here of a disciplinary hearing that was scheduled for this past Wednesday and has now been rescheduled for December 29.

Burke reports that Town Administrator Thomas Guerino, who along with the fire chief, threatened to fire anyone who provided information to the press, gave the memo to the reporter. Here are excerpts from the latest article:

In his memo, which provides the most information to date regarding allegations against Weeks, Guerino states that Weeks faces discipline or termination stemming from an incident “on or about” May 7 at approximately 4:35 p.m. It is alleged that Weeks was seen at the rear parking lot of a Sandwich Road location in uniform, meeting and having a conversation with someone who was later accused of selling drugs from that location.

Weeks was driving a fire department vehicle at the time, according to the memo.

“It is further alleged that you were not assigned to be at that location by the Bourne Fire Department and that you were not acting at that time in accordance with your responsibilities as a Bourne Firefighter,” the memo reads.

The memo states the meeting was “reported” to the police, who were “conducting an undercover drug surveillance operation at the same time and location.”

At the selectmen’s Nov. 10 meeting, acting Fire Chief Daniel Doucette said Weeks’ actions “were appropriate,” according to meeting minutes. Doucette did not return messages left for him at the station this week.

Guerino’s memo lists nine rules allegedly broken by Weeks, including “no employee shall be absent from duty without authorized leave” and “any type of conduct which reflects discredit upon an employee as a department member, or upon his fellow employees, or upon the fire department is prohibited.”

Weeks did not return messages left for her at the fire station this week and was unable to be reached at her parents’ Attleboro home. Her attorney, Richard Sullivan of Milford, declined to comment through a spokeswoman.

Last month, Police Chief Earl Baldwin admitted at a selectmen’s meeting that Weeks had appeared at a police drug operation earlier this year.

Fire union officials then released logs that documented years of odd behavior exhibited by Weeks while on duty. The logs also detailed instances when town and fire department officials were notified of problems concerning Weeks but did nothing, as well as examples of town police officers contradicting public statements made by town officials.

Union officials alleged a cover-up and said public safety was at risk.

Weeks has been back at work for two months after being out for four months on medical leave, union officials previously told the Times.

When she returned to work, her assignment within the fire department had changed, and fresh complaints regarding her work habits were reported to town officials.

Posted by dave statter on December 20, 2009 • Filed under: Bourne Fire Department, Fire Rescue Topics, IAFF, News • Tagged: Bourne, Cape Cod, Daniel Doucette, Deputy Chief Paul Weeks, drugs, Eakr Baldwin, Lt. Kelli Weeks, Massachusetts, Matthew Burke, Richard Sullivan, Thomas Gurerino

Quick Takes

4 comments

What's Missing? Fire service press does what Google couldn't.

Offensive use of fallen firefighter’s picture is removed: Score one for the fire service online community. When I spotted the story by WFTV-TV about the misuse of Volusia County fallen firefighter John Curry’s image on a blog in Australia, I had little doubt that the fire service community would be outraged and attempt to do something about this problem. The original article indicated that Google was unable to provide help without a court order. Firehouse.com soon picked up the story and I alerted Billy Goldfeder, knowing full well that his outrage would turn into a message on The Secret List. One of Billy’s readers noted that the blogger hadn’t uploaded the image but essentially embedded it from FireEngineering.com. That person and Billy were instantly in contact with PennWell. Late yesterday PennWell simply removed the picture from its site where it was being very legitimately used. This automatically removed it from the Australian blog where John Curry’s image had been posted to illustrate an article about a former firefighter who is a sexual predator. STATter911.com readers alerted me late last night and early this morning it was gone. Thank you Bobby Halton and company. Click here to read our original story (interview with Kristen Currry now added) and here for the posting on the Secret List.

Fire Engineering Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Bobby Halton sent in this comment about the removal of the image-

Dave,

We here at Fire Engineering were very upset to learn how inappropriately this link was being used. It did take considerable effort and a few hours to get it done given the way all this electronic gadgetry works however we got it done. I have never seen a more offensive use of photo in my entire career. Thank you for the kind words however we here at fire engineering felt we had a moral obligation to remove this more than anything else.

Your friend, Bobby

UPDATED – Firefighter told to park his SUV elsewhere because of anti-Obama bumper sticker: This may be a slippery slope for the Hartford Fire Department in Connecticut. Deciding what kind of bumper stickers can or can not be on a firefighter’s car when parked on the firehouse property could turn into a full time job and could help keep some lawyers employed. Check out the story and the offending bumper sticker here. Once there scroll down to read the comments where the issue seems to have united some polar opposites on the political spectrum. An interview with Firefighter Mike Di’Giacomo has now been added to the story.

Second time around: Click the image for a series of Zone911.com pictures by Vincent Fradet of the latest wreck of a new quint in Levis, Quebec. This time a crew member was seriously injured as was the driver of the vehicle the rig collided with. It was less than a month ago that the other new E-One overturned.

NEW- Timing is everything: In Canandaigua, New York city officials were discussing plans to cut firefighters and close stations. Around the corner an apartment fire broke out, which itself is around the corner from a fire station. Click here for the story.

Someone admits to withholding autopsy results from NIOSH: Yesterday we told you there were a lot of people saying “not me” as reporters tried to figure out who refused to turn over autopsy reports to NIOSH. NIOSH recently released its investigation into the deaths of two Boston firefighters, but without the documents could not address the widespread media reports the autopsies showed drug and alcohol use. Now the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner says it believes it didn’t have the authority to overrule requests from the families not to release the reports. Here’s the update.

The latest from New Haven: Firegeezer has the return to court for Ricci v. DeStefano. And there is more to the update, with new complaints being filed by those from the other side of the argument. Click here.

More courts – Agility test does not discriminate against women: Lexington City, Tennessee’s requirement that candidates handle a 24-foot ladder is not discrimination, according to an appeals court. Here’s the story.

Another Bourne investigation: Officials in the Massachusetts town have hired a private investigator to try and help sort out the multiple messes. Click here for the update.

Posted by dave statter on November 13, 2009 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Apparatus Wrecks, Bourne Fire Department, Command & Leadership, Firefighter Safety & Health, Funding & Staffing, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Reports, Social Media, Reputation Management, News Media • Tagged: 24-foot ladder, autopsy, Billy Goldfeder, Bobby Halton, Boston, Bournes, bumper sticker, Canada, Canandaigua, crash, discrimination, E-One, FireEngineering.com, Firehouse.com, Hartford Fire Department, image, John Curry, Levis, Lexington City, Lt. Kelli Weeks, New Haven, NIOSH, Obama, Paul Cahill, PennWell, Quebec, quint, Ricci v. DeStefano, The Secret List, Volusia County, Warren Payne

Quick Takes

No comments

Helmet-cam and other cameras from Western Maryland house fire: This video is from the Potomac Fire Company in Westernport. It is of a house fire just before 9:00 last Wednesday morning. There is a detailed account along with pictures at the fire company’s website.

Helmet-cams like the one above are under the microscope: Paul Peluso at Firehouse.com looks at what I have long thought is an interesting issue being dealt with by fire departments all over the world. The debate focuses on helmet-cams, but the problems are similar for any picture taking by on-duty personnel. Paul talks with a public safety director who has a law degree. Click here for Paul’s story.

Finally, some details from Bourne. The firefighters' union provides details of what they say were major concerns about Lt. Kelli Weeks' behavior and the failure by Bourne, Massachusetts officials to properly investigate the matter. This picture of Weeks is from a charity calendar. No details yet on the rape charges against Weeks' husband, Deputy Chief Paul Weeks. Click the image for the latest.

The Firehouse.com story mentions the helmet-cam rescue video taken at an apartment fire by Kentland VFD. After Kentland contacted me and 9NEWS NOW ran the story (so did other TV stations), it brought an immediate ban on helmet-cams in Prince George’s County, Maryland (but not a ban on other picture & video taking). That fire occurred on August 8, 2006 and it also brought a sharp rebuke of Kentland and the news media by then PGFD Chief Lawrence Sedgwick Jr. It read in part, “The release of this video and the media coverage demonstrated a lack of compassion and sensitivity for the family of the deceased. These actions are extremely unethical and unprofessional.”

For our previous coverage of the helmet-cam issue click here, here, here, here and here.

A look back to a tragic and chaotic 14-hours: This execution of DC area sniper John Allen Muhammad is scheduled for tonight in Virginia. The region and the nation became aware of this series of killings because of what happened in Montgomery County, Maryland on October 2 and 3, 2003. Five people were shot and killed in separate incidents. 9NEWS NOW executive producer Samara Martin Ewing put together the 911 calls and her 2003 interviews with firefighters and medics. That and more about the snipers can be found here.

Punishment for deputy chief and captain in cheating case: Remember the story we told you about from Papillion, Nebraska where cheating was uncovered in the test for fire department applicants. It is costing Papillion about $25,000 to administer a brand new test. It is also costing two firefighters their rank. While it was previously reported this was an inside job, there is now new information that a deputy chief and a captain have both been busted back to Firefighter I. Read and watch the details.

Tragic situation in Fairfax County, VA: Retired Captain Richard Scott and his wife were found dead in their home in what is believed by police to be a murder-suicide. Neighbors and firefighters say Scott, who retired in 1996, suffered from Alzheimer’s. Click here for the story.

Firefighter trapped & burned during 3-alarm NH building fire: According to Firefighter Close Calls one firefighter was burned and others injured during a fire last night at Mow Town Power Equipment in Hooksett, New Hampshire. The building houses lawn mowers and other garden equipment. Here’s some of the details-

The Firefighter was treated in Manchester and is now being transported to Boston with 2nd and 3rd degree burn related injuries after a garage door came down and trapped him during the fire. The Firefighter was reported to be fully geared up in his PPE and other Firefighters were able to get him out by cutting open the door.

WMUR-TV reports 3 firefighters were hurt and has video and still pictures from the fire.

First due at Area 51 (sort of … after Nellis AFB FD): Well they might be if people in unincorporated Rachel, Nevada could solve the dilemma that has cropped up with the June, 2008 donation of a 1986 Pierce pumper. They would like to put it in a county building as the start of a Rachel VFD. But Lincoln County won’t let them use it as long as the fire engine is still in private hands. Quite a problem for the closest habitation to the mysterious Area 51. Read more.

Another fire truck donation story: This one’s a 1918 Mack and is heading for the Sioux City Public Museum. Click here for the story.

Can do attitude: Actually it should be the ”can” dos and don’ts. That’s the topic of Ray McCormack’s latest at thehousewatch.com.

Posted by dave statter on November 10, 2009 • Filed under: 911 Audio, Bourne Fire Department, Command & Leadership, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service (MD), News, PGFD, PGFD (MD), Police, Quick takes, Rescues, Social Media, Reputation Management, News Media, Videos • Tagged: Area 51, Bourne, burned, cheating, Fairfax County, Firehouse.com, helmet-cams, Hooksett, John Allen Muhammad, Lincoln County, Lt. Kelli Weeks, Mack, murder-suicide, Nevada, New Hampshire, Papillion, Paul Peluso, Potomac Fire Company, Rachel, Ray McCormack, Richard Scott, Sioux City, sniper, tests, thehousewatch.com, trapped, Videos, Westernport

Bourne to be wild: What is going on in Bourne, Massachussetts? Fire department has lots of issues.

6 comments

Lt. Kelli Weeks was Ms. October in the 2008 America's Female Firefighters calendar. Holly Kuhn, also from the Bourne Fire Department, was Ms. March. Click the image to see more photos and read the story about their involvement with the calendar that is used to raise money for the People's Burn Foundation and the IAFF Burn Foundation.

Read Friday’s article from the Cape Cod Times

There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear. Every time I look, the 48-member Bourne Fire Department in Massachusetts is in the news.

Earlier we told you about Deputy Chief Paul Weeks, charged with rape, who has been allowed back to full duty while the charges are adjudicated. Yesterday, firefighters were called to the Bourne Police Department to be questioned about an investigation that apparently involves Weeks’ wife, Lt. Kelli Weeks.

Picture of Lt. Kelli Weeks. The Cape Cod Times described Weeks this way: "Weeks, who came to the department in 2001, was promoted to lieutenant in 2006. She is originally from Attleboro and made news when she was featured in the 2008 America's Female Firefighters calendar, a national charity effort to raise money for the People's Burn Foundation in Indianapolis and the International Association of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation." Click the image to read the October 24, 2009 article about Lt. Weeks.

That mysterious probe has been going on for a while. We say mysterious, because no one is saying anything publicly about details of the investigation. The Cape Cod Times has been trying unsuccessfully since August to find out some specifics. The state is now reviewing the paper’s appeal to the town’s refusal to supply records. Union officials have urged that the documents be released and have expressed no confidence in Lt. Weeks and Town Administrator Thomas Guerino.

On Wednesday, police were called to the Main Street station to handle a domestic dispute. A female firefighter said she was receiving harassing text messages and phone calls from her ex-husband.

Also, a firefighter is not working because of job related stress after being twice accused by Guerino as being a source for news stories.

And yes, the Bourne Fire Department’s Sagamore Beach station is embroiled in that controversy you may have read about where the weekly veterinary clinic is held in the building.

Here are excerpts from today’s Cape Cod Time article by Matthew Burke:

Bourne police Chief Earl Baldwin confirmed the interviews were taking place.

“They are being interviewed,” Baldwin said. “But this is not in regard to the criminal investigation (into Weeks). This is not a criminal matter. The interviews really don’t have anything to do with the police department other than we’re the ones doing them.”

Bourne Town Administrator Thomas Guerino from the Cape Cod Times.

Baldwin said more information may be available next week.As the controversies have played out, union officials have called for town officials to release information regarding the investigation into Kelli Weeks to the public. Both Guerino and

In a memo from Guerino to (Acting Fire Chief Danel) Doucette, obtained by the Times yesterday, and dated Thursday, Guerino said questionable factual reports have shown up in local papers, a contention that union officials have disputed.

Doucette have threatened to fire anyone caught talking to the press, which has caused tension at the department. At least one firefighter is not working because of job-related stress.

Clearly there are a lot of unanswered questions in Bourne.

Above is a video of the Bourne Fire Department in less turbulent times. The department received some good press for rescuing a cat at a house fire on April 15 of this year. Maybe crossing paths with the cat was bad luck. Click here, here and here for more Bourne Fire Department videos.