Ever wonder why Firemen don't have DOGS on their trucks anymore? And why Dalmations seem to be so rare ?
Posted on 02/05/2014 10:49:54 AM PST by South40
CHULA VISTA — A Highway Patrol officer handcuffed and briefly detained a firefighter in a disagreement over a fire engine being in a freeway traffic lane after an accident Tuesday night.
Top officers from the Chula Vista and San Diego fire departments are meeting with a counterpart from the the Highway Patrol today to determine just what led the officer to take such an unusual step.
“We’ll try to come to an understanding of what happened,” Chula Vista fire Chief Dave Henneman said.
The fire crews were helping victims from a crash on southbound I-805 between Telegraph Canyon Road and East Naples Drive, officials said. A sedan overturned about 9:20 p.m. and a second vehicle was reported down an embankment.
Henneman said the firefighters positioned a fire engine behind the ambulance to protect the people as they were being loaded inside.
"Our firefighters are trained to use the engine to protect the scene," Henneman said. He also said, "Our No. 1 priority is the safety of our firefighters and patients.”
When the CHP officer told the firefighter to move the engine, the firefighter said he would have to check with his captain, Henneman said.
“We work on a chain of command,” the chief said. “The officer said, ‘No, you need to move now or you’ll be arrested.’ ”
A CBS8 news video shows the firefighter jumping over a low concrete freeway divider, putting his hands behind his back and being cuffed. The CHP officer led him to a patrol car, put him in the back seat and detained him there for several minutes.
After supervisors from both agencies were called in, the firefighter was released, Henneman said.
The dispute raises the question of who has greater authority to control an emergency scene along a freeway — the CHP or fire personnel.
Henneman said the CHP also ordered a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department engine crew to leave the crash site, so San Diego Fire Chief Javier Mainar also joined the Wednesday morning meeting with the CHP at Chula Vista fire headquarters.
CHP Officer Jake Sanchez, a spokesman for the agency, said he was still gathering information about the incident and had no comment. He said he believed acting Cmdr. Karyn Mentink would be attending the meeting.
“Right now, everything is under review,” Sanchez said.
Henneman said he didn’t know of any similar incidents like this between fire and CHP personnel in San Diego County, but that he had heard of some disputes elsewhere in the state.
“I know clearing the freeway is a priority for the CHP,” Henneman said. “(But) we’re all there to help people."
Two of the crash victims were first reported as being critically injured. Only one was taken to a hospital.
The Highway Patrol's website noted at 9:41 p.m. that a fire unit was parallel parking in the left lane. A few minutes later there was a note that fire units were blocking the left two lanes. All lanes were reported open by 10:32 p.m.
From the mall parking lot to traffic patrol.
The Bullies in Blue (BUBs) are out and about a lot lately.
Well, maybe for the California Highway Patrol they’re the Bullies in Brown! They’re the still the BuBs!
Ping.
That really says it all right there. The CHP-head is so insecure that he immediately threatens arrest. I guess he showed restraint in not shooting the fireman.
And right back to the mall parking lot, if reason and common sense were still legally available in California.
IF the story is true as reported, then the CHP officer is an overly aggressive, totalitarian a—hole who should be fired immediately.
Good thing the fireman didn’t have his dog with him...
I think that is also true in Virginia.
This question was worked out for Chicago many years ago.
The coppers do NOT mess with the firemen.
There are many cops that are rough & tough and in top condition but not all of them.
The firemen have to prove they are in good shape or better; often.
I worked in a hospital,15+ floors, the employees were told to pull an alarm if they ‘smell anything’! The fire men were out about twice a week; half RUN up the stairs the rest use the elevators.All in boots and raincoats loaded to the max!
Saw it many times.
Many times they ran to the top because the sensors where in the mechanical penthouse; so shown on the alarm panel.
Uh,they aren’t called “raincoats”.
They call then turnouts.
We call ours “bunker gear”, but I’ve heard “turnout gear” used in other far away parts of the state.
Has to be the thurd one on the left , typical little pick
His name is Lt. Dangle.
Under Unified Command the ranking fire official, once on scene, has command of the entire incident. This would include traffic control. In the area of securing evidence or protection the police officer has the duty to intervene.
“Brooklyn Nine Nine”?
Ever wonder why Firemen don't have DOGS on their trucks anymore? And why Dalmations seem to be so rare ?
Just two union goons arguing over who “owns” the turf. The cop goon wins because he has the gun. Heaven help us with people like this “serving us.”
More and more people are telling me that they avoid all contact with the police and they no longer trust them.
Now that you mention it, I’m trying to think of the last time I saw a dalmatian on a fire truck....
Of course, there’s also the fact that the dogs’ original purpose was to keep other dogs and thieves away from the horses and equipment firemen used before automobiles were invented.
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