State cites Port Chester Fire Department for violations

[rob zombie 33]

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/rye-brook-port-chester/2016/06/18/state-cites-port-chester-fire-department-violations/86079360/

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This opens an entirely new chapter for the Port Chester Fire Department. 

 

Now it seems that some of the earlier negative comments made may appear to actually be true on that fire chiefs leadership qualities. 

 

Any members of that department that were aware of such behavior or conditions going on and failed to act, in my eyes are guilty as well.

 

This is now an embarrassment to the entire department. It appears their leader has let them all down.  I feel sorry for those that had no idea of any of this kind of activity going on and were only there to help the citizens of their community. 

 

The Port Chester Fire Department now has a stigma attached to its name. There apparently id no way that the fire chief can continue in his position. For any new chief coming in, you have inherited a hornets nest. 

 

With the right leadership things can and will improve. But it will take time. 

 

I will hope that this thought is kept in mind. "Don't blame a whole group of people for the actions of a few". For those of us on the outside looking in, we need to try and remember that.

[velcroMedic1987 330]

Pretty damning allegations. 

Makes you wonder...

[Bnechis 3,961]

2 hours ago, velcroMedic1987 said:

Pretty damning allegations. 

Makes you wonder...

Particularly about modify / falsifying official records and possible insurance fraud.

[Flashpoint 94]

Here's the actual document

 

 

pcfd_investigation_nys.pdf

[Dinosaur 844]

Well, this just adds to the black eye that the PCFD has already suffered. 

As if the violations aren't bad enough, the allegation of falsifying an incident report and insurance claim are particularly troubling.  It seems that Chief Quinn can't keep himself out of trouble.

 

[Dinosaur 844]

It's a damn shame this thread is getting so little attention.  This should be a big wake-up call for every department to take a few minutes and do an honest, objective self-assessment to answer "can this happen to us?"

For younger FF coming up, this should be a heads-up that if someone is telling you to do something that doesn't seem right you should confirm it.  And if you don't have the training, don't do it! 

 

The old attitude "new guys / young ones need to keep the eyes open and mouths shut" has no business in today's fire service.  Have a questioning attitude.  Not to be obnoxious but to learn and make sure you're doing it right. 

 

Sadly we can't assume that the senior guys - or even all the officers - are leading by example.

Before everyone jumps on me, I'm not saying that we all do it wrong, I'm saying we can always do it better!  Be smart, be safe, and live to fight another day!

[SECTMB 612]

12 minutes ago, Dinosaur said:

It's a damn shame this thread is getting so little attention.  This should be a big wake-up call for every department to take a few minutes and do an honest, objective self-assessment to answer "can this happen to us?"

For younger FF coming up, this should be a heads-up that if someone is telling you to do something that doesn't seem right you should confirm it.  And if you don't have the training, don't do it! 

 

The old attitude "new guys / young ones need to keep the eyes open and mouths shut" has no business in today's fire service.  Have a questioning attitude.  Not to be obnoxious but to learn and make sure you're doing it right. 

 

Sadly we can't assume that the senior guys - or even all the officers - are leading by example.

Before everyone jumps on me, I'm not saying that we all do it wrong, I'm saying we can always do it better!  Be smart, be safe, and live to fight another day!

 

There are too many stories similar to this one and then add in all the stories of financial mis-deeds that we keep finding and  learning about.  The fire service is unique in many ways but not immune to the common thread that is people.  Unfortunately people don't seem to consider honor, integrity and leadership as importantly as in years past.  That is not to say that these issues did not present themselves in years past, but there seemed to be less of them and they held a stigma not recognized today.  Corruption is so prevalent at every level of business and government today that it only merits mention when it is so egregious.  From the smallest meeting room in the smallest towns to the hallowed halls of Congress, people who lack honor, integrity and leadership are chipping away at the foundation of the Country.  So far, there have been enough good people to keep patching it up.  What happens when there aren't enough good people left?