Unauthorized use of fire apparatus cited in case of burned Virginia firefighter
Stafford County chief says rigs were taken for personal use at a controlled burn when firefighter was injured
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Stafford County (VA) Fire Chief Joseph Cardello said disciplinary action has been taken over an incident leading to a firefighter being severely burned in May. Cardello told NBC Washington/WRC-TV’s Drew Wilder that two rigs from White Oak VFD were used by volunteer firefighters for a controlled burn of yard waste. Captain Patrick Byers and his firefighter son Alex brought a brush truck and tanker to help a neighbor with the fire. Alex accidentally fell into the fire and received third degree burns over 22 percent of his body.
As you watch the story above, notice what you don’t see or hear. No one is running or hiding from cameras or saying no comment. Both Chief Cardello and Captain Byers addressed the issue head-on. Getting the bad news out and putting it behind you is often the best way to limit reputational damage.
The other more significant good news that came out of this was the local community rallying around Firefighter Byers as he dealt with his serious injuries.
