Quick takes
Where they came from: Howard County, Maryland’s new fire chief Bill Goddard, on the right, with Sgt. Larry Glaubitz on the left and FF Charlie Daniels in the center, at PGFD’s Company 8, Seat Pleasant, in 1973. More 1970s PGFD pictures from IAFF Local 1619 website.
The naked truth: Anne Arundel County, Maryland County Executive John Leopold has issued a statement answering some of the questions surrounding a 911 call that turned out to be about Leopold and his official car. The caller reported there was some sexual activity going on in the back of the car in a shopping center parking lot. What police apparently found is Leopold in the back seat by himself. Police and the County Executive aren’t answering questions and letting the 911 and police radio transmissions speak for themselves. Click here.
More on PGFD shakeup: Numerous sources confirm that Lt. Colonel Victor Stagnaro is the operations chief replacing Tyrone Wells. Fire investigations no longer is under the command of Lt. Colonel Carla Blue and will report directly to Acting Fire/EMS Chief Eugene Jones. As we reported yesterday Chief Jones is already making some significant changes. We are hearing from both sides of the career/volunteer fence to expect a kinder and gentler relationship between the chief’s office and the volunteers. The administration of Lawrence Sedgwick, the outgoing chief, was noted for rocky dealings with volunteer leadership. The volunteers often saw it as efforts to chase them away and many on the career side viewed it as accountability. Stay tuned.
FF’s wife is the victim: Pender County, NC volunteer Jamie Kornegay talks about responding to a pedestrian killed in a hit and run accident on Monday. Once on the scene Kornegay discovers the victim is his wife. The interview and details are here.
Another St. Louis FF shot: For the second time in a little more than 3-months the St. Louis Fire Department is dealing with the shooting of one of its firefighters who interrupted a crime in progress. FF Ernest Strong is reported in critical condition after returning home from lunch with his wife and finding himself face to face with three burglars. Police say they caught two of the three. You may recall that it was November 5 when FF Leonard Riggins was shot and killed by a carjacker after stopping to help out at a crash scene. Click here to read the story and links to news coverage.
Reno 911: Council members are praising Reno’s fire and police unions who have offered wage concessions in an effort to avoid layoffs and the closing of a fire station. That said, the political leaders aren’t sure if that is enough. Read the story. Watch the story.
Fire department wrongly fired union organizer: That’s the ruling of the Public Employee Relations Commission over the case of a Plantation Fire Department EMT. A fire department spokesman reminds a reporter that this is just one step in the process and that it ain’t over until it’s over. Click here.
