Eight Cleveland Firefighters Punished for Urinating on Photo of Former Fire Chief’s Photo

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CLEVELAND, Ohio (FOX8) — Eight firefighters, including several high-ranking fire department officials, have been disciplined for defacing the fire chief’s picture.

The discipline ranges from demotions to suspensions, including six months off without pay for one lieutenant.

According to disciplinary records, the firefighters were disciplined following an investigation into an August 16 incident.

City records state that the city of Cleveland’s portrait of former Chief Daryl McGinnis was placed in a urinal at a Cleveland area bar during a post-graduation party for a class of fire recruits.

Several instructors admitted to urinating on the picture.

Through the city’s investigation, it was determined that Captain Roy Ziganti, second in command at the fire academy, took a cell phone picture of the portrait in the urinal, and had it forwarded to McGinnis.

“The facts of the investigation showed that ranking officers and training academy instructors abused their authority, participated in unprofessional conduct and conveyed to the graduating firefighters that such conduct was acceptable,” said Director of Public Safety Marty Flask. “The actions brought dishonor to the ranks of fire officers and most importantly, failed to provide our newest firefighters the leadership they deserve and all of us expect.”

An official with Local 93 of the International Association of Firefighters , however, said they believe the punishment was excessive. They would not say if they are planning to appeal.

The following is a list of those who were disciplined and what they received:

– Lt. William Lipke, 6 months unpaid suspension, agreed to remove his name for consideration on the up-coming Captain promotional exam. Is not permitted to participate as an instructor in the upcoming academy class. He waived his right to grieve the disciplinary action.

– Captain John Whalen, 15-day unpaid suspension, not permitted to participate as an instructor in the up-coming academy class. Waived his right to grieve the discipline.

– Captain Louis Hahn, 30-day unpaid suspension, not permitted to participate as an instructor in the up-coming academy class. Waived his right to grieve the discipline.

– Captain Roy Ziganti, demoted to firefighter, not permitted to participate as an instructor for the remainder of his career, and will be assigned to a fire suppression position at the discretion of the chief.

– Firefighters Mark Edwards, Robert DiSanto, Brian Webb, and Louis Ruggerio, all received 9 days unpaid suspension.

An additional fire officer was also found guilty of departmental charges and a hearing will be held when he returns to work from sick leave.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Apartment Building Fire, East Aurora, New York - 02.06.2014

Woman jumps from second-floor window during blaze

EAST AURORA, N.Y. (WIVB)- East Aurora Fire Officials say a woman jumped out of a second floor window to save herself from a burning fire. The three alarm blaze started before 9 a.m. Thursday morning at 45 Church Street.

When fire crews arrived flames were spewing out of the home. The hot embers destroyed the wooden apartment home. Fire investigators are on the scene trying to determine what caused it.

East Aurora Fire Chief Roger LeBanc says one pet is confirmed dead. At this time it’s unclear if any more were in the home.

The chief says the woman who jumped is lucky to be alive. She was taken to ECMC to be treated for minor injuries.

A man was also in the building at the time of the fire. He was on the first floor and taken to a nearby hospital to be checked.

The chief says the home will be destroyed in the near future.

Woman jumps from second floor of burning building in East Aurora

EAST AURORA, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — Two residents of an old, wood-frame multifamily home escaped from a fast-moving fire this morning in East Aurora, but responders were unable to rescue a number of pets trapped in the building.

Lt. Jack Wolff of the Village of East Aurora Police Department said from the scene that a woman in her 20s jumped from the second floor into the snow to escape the blaze.

“I was there but had nothing to catch her with. She may have injured her back, and went to the hospital,” Wolff said.

He estimated that about eight people lived in the building’s four apartment units.

The other resident who was home at the time lived on the first floor and escaped without injury. Police were able to reach all of the other residents to make sure they were safe and notify them about the fire.

The blaze, reported at 8:47 a.m., quickly spread through the two-story yellow structure at 45 Church St., and firefighting efforts were complicated by temperatures barely above zero.

“There are a lot of icing conditions,” Wolff said.

Police closed access to the two-block area around the corner of Church and East Fillmore. With the fire still burning nearly two hours after it was first reported, Wolff said there was no doubt the building was a total loss.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Structral Fire on Rice Road Elma, New York - 02.04.2014

Flames, smoke billow from two-family home

ELMA, New York (WIVB)- A major structure fire closed a portion of a roadway in Elma Tuesday morning. Flames sparked at 7 a.m. on Rice Road, between Bowen and Shultz Roads. That stretch of the roadway was closed for more than two hours.

Flames erupted at a two-story building, that is a two-family home. More than an hour and a half after the blaze started, heavy smoke and flames were still billowing into the air from a second-floor apartment. Flames spread throughout the house and smoke was shooting out through the attic. Firefighters were fighting the flames defensively from a ladder above the flames.

Investigators believe hoarding may have been a factor in the fire that spread quickly.

Fire at 3 Family Home in Elma

ELMA, New York (WKBW) Massive dark grey clouds of smoke billow out of a home along Rice Road in Elma, as firefighters spent most of Tuesday morning trying to contain the flames.

"Three story house, three families, you have apartments above the garage, difficult to get to," Chief Brian Nolan of the Jamison Road Fire Company said.

Everyone inside was able to escape unharmed, but multiple fire companies responded, even having to shoot water from above to suppress the stubborn fire.

"We had fire coming out the roof, and we were not able to get hand lines up to that roof, so we have the ladder shooting water down on the roof," Nolan explained.

But the layout of the home wasn't the only challenge. The freezing cold weather made things that much harder for firefighters.

"With the cold weather, the ice is real difficult. It freezes hand lines, you have trouble with the hydrants being frozen. It's just extreme conditions, that's why there's so many companies here helping with the water situation," Chief Nolan added.

Officials say the fire started in the garage, but the cause is still under investigation.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Ohio Fire Lieutenant LODD: On-Duty Death 02.04.2014

Fire Lieutenant Bruce A. Stayner, 49, on February 4, 2014 fell ill at home within 24 hours of responding to a mutual aid structure fire call. Bruce A. Stayner was transported to the Grady Memorial Hospital where he passed away from an apparent heart attack.

Our condolences to the Stayner Family & Friends, the Scioto Township Fire Department and to all affected by Fire Lieutenant Bruce A. Stayner's passing.  

   

To date, 11 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)