This is going to be a cyptic posting because in all honesty, it is more important to me to see this matter addressed than it is to put specifics out. I can deal with a lot, but I could never deal with the death of a firefighter because I sat back and did nothing
The following comment was posted on the blog earlier tonight;
"Too bad HFD can't add one to the list. The problem child from Engine #14 was at
it again the other day. Come to work at 8am sober, go home at 3pm drunk. When
will HQ do something about this?
I have confirmed the behavior in question as well as those who were in attendance when it occurred, I am not going to post too much on specifics, but if the need arises I'm not shy.
For several months now I have been receiving calls about an intoxicated firefighter who is in a supervisory capacity. I am not posting this to see anyone lose their job, but I can't sit idly by and potentially see any Hartford Firefighter lose their life in a fire because someone's alcohol addiction has impaired their decision making.
As we have seen in other recent incidents, these issues are or may be common knowledge, but no one steps up and shows any leadership and deals with the issue. I don't personally know the firefighter in question, and he may very well be worth salvaging, To do nothing and wait for something tragic to happen and then sit back and say "Geez, we should have done something after the first time a District Chief had to drive him home drunk" is wrong.
The first priority of this administration is to protect the well being and safety of firefighters under this persons supervision. It is not to coddle to the Union President, who was also allegedly there yesterday and witnessed the behavior.The Firefighters Union should be just as interested in getting help for this individual as well as protecting their other members subjected to this dangerous behavior.
For Chief Huertas, Chief Shapiro or Chief Waller, who all witnessed yesterday from what sources have told me, the incident is a total lack of leadership. Do what you know you need to do and get this individual help. It is no longer a one time incident , it is a pattern of addiction. When a resident on a medical aid call has to ask" Is this guy drunk?" , you have a problem
Address the problem before something tragic happens. Chief Huertas I know you are capable of stepping up and doing what you need to do. Make the tough decisions that leaders have to make
If anyone wants to air their concerns over this matter, you can call me in strict confidence at 860-883-2297. It might be you or one of your fellow firefighters that you are saving.
Stay outta chief waller's business. He will handle it. That is not the only drunk on the job. Terry will giv anyone five across the lip if they screw up again
ReplyDeleteYeah, laugh about it you a-hole. Wait until this guy causes somebody's death. What if somehow he was to hurt your friend Terry? It wouldn't be so funny then, would it?
ReplyDeleteThis drunk needs help, no doubt about it. HFD has a very good EAP program. Get him help, but get him off the job. The administration, EAP, the union, and the D/C's all cover for this guy.
How about considering the other 375 or so firefighters who have to work with and could be hurt by this person? How about the public he deals with? Even worse if he kills a civilian!
Please got this guy off the job!!!!
Unfortunately Kevin, the only one that seems to be stepping up is you (thanks to your sources). Does a tragedy need to happen before the idiots (fire dept. hierarchy and the union president decide to actually do their jobs? SMH.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately Kevin, the only that seems to be stepping up is you (thanks to your sources). Does a tragedy have to happen before the idiots (Fire Dept. hierarchy and union president)do their jobs? SMH.
ReplyDeleteThose of us that have been around a long time will remember William Stack a HFD driver who was fired several times for drinking on the job (a driver no less!). Each time he was canned the Union took the case to the state labor board. Each time the state reinstated the guy. Can't help but wonder if the powers that be know that they're gonna be over ruled by the state even if they do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteTic Tac Toe---I see you are still sleeping with Terry...cause anyone who sticks up for Terry..only means they are sleeping with him..male or female..you are sleeping with him. And second of all he has no authority to do anything...he is a nobody there at the Fire Dept. he always was, and always will be.Third...EAP will get this Fire Fighter help..they will...so.not to worry..Chief Huertas Will do his job...not Terry...the nobody.
ReplyDeleteWow, posting anonymously takes real courage. How about you at least respect the rank if you dont respect the man.
DeleteI think you would have to wake Waller up before he could do anything. Hear there are some photos of him sleeping in a meeting, I bet Kevin would love to see those. Must be the pain killers from that terrible accident.
ReplyDeleteYah all better choose ya words carefully before CHIEF Waller takes notes and handles all you little fire mice. Did anyone bother to check if it is a medical condition before jumpin on some gravey train? If you need the big dog terry to handle it. He will!
ReplyDeleteTic tac toe,
ReplyDeletePlease be advised that the treatment for the so called "medical condition" is a stint in rehab. A firefighter who is an obvious risk to his fellow firefighters and the general public should not be working. Period.
Always an issue in the Fire Department someone is drunk on the job or has a drug problem or a member of their family does or borrows money they cannot repay. Terry Waller is always covered at all times and cost. His wife is the wonder woman Sandra Kee Borges. Her best buddy is Pedro. Good luck trying to get anyone to step up to the plate and do the right thing. The last Fire Chief Edward Casares was a night mare. Boy dose he walk around like a king with gold hanging on him and expensive clothing on him from head to toe. Things will never change because no one has the courage to do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteHere is Waller first chance to fire someone. That was always one of his favorite threats so say to people.
ReplyDelete#1 When I make Chief, I'll transfer your ass!
#2 When I make Chief, I'll fire your ass!
You've been waiting to do it Terry, were waiting. I'm sorry you don't get to fire a white guy first.
p.s. maybe has something to do with drunk a-hole getting chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance after chance.
Terry Waller can't do anything, unless I'm mistaking he is a Deputy Chief and they do not have the authority to fire anyone...It's a process to fire anyone...example: Terry Waller is still there after all these years. Also..Sandra Key Borges are not married, maybe someday she will wise up and dump him, as far as him sleeping on the job..he was always slacking off on the job...Terry his all mouth and no work...he feels he is above people...why do you think for many years he had the nick name Napolian...
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWell, well, once again, wonder woman Saundra Kee Borges to the rescue. It has really paid off for Chief Waller, he has been once again given a new challenge, the new Assistant to Chief Huertas, I hope that now that that there is a new Chief in town. Maybe things will change in the Hartford Fire Dept. perhaps there can be some action taken, to remove all the bad apples that's been spoiling things for the rest of the bunch.
It's unbelievable, that the so call "NO ONE" has so much potential and has been given so many opportunities, so to those who thought that the car crash was going to keep him from moving on up, guess what?? You guys were wrong. Everyone in the City knows that its who you know or sleep with that determines how far you go. The Waller/Borges saga continues. "Ain't no stopping them now"
-Is this the same FF who shit in the stairwell at 14's?
ReplyDelete-Is this the same FF who came back to the firehouse to confront a LT for getting him sent home drunk?
-Is this the same FF that was brought home drunk by Dist. #2, and then found by Engine #7 passed out in the road later the same day?
-Is this the same FF that drinks Listerine all day long to hide the booze smell and get drunk from it?
-Is this the same FF that is in charge quite frequently while drunk?
How is it possible to still have a job? If I were ever to get hurt by this turd, I would sue the shit out of every District Chief that has driven him home, every Chief that has not disciplined him, and my favorite would be Vinny the Union President for sticking up for this asshole.
When chief Huertas is out. The buck stops with terry. He will sit on the thrown and deal with all of u. So just wait cause terry aint leavin. Ever. Sooner or later he will be in charge. So shape up or five cross yo lips!
ReplyDeleteWorking for the City of Hartford is the best place to work for. You are allow to do drugs, sell drugs, drink alcohol, call out sick, fake injuries, steal cars, crash cars, sue the city, get fired and get rehired, double dip, spend taxpayers money, P-cards and the list goes on. You never had it so good; So please stop complaining, be happy that you have a job, or resign and let someone else get the job.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think you do have the right person in mind
ReplyDeleteKevin,All the comments so far fail to mention ,most importantly,the root cause that enables not only this risky individual but others presently "using" on the job. Due to past and present contract language,,, THE CITY DOES NOT DRUG TEST!!!!! THERE HAS BEEN ONLY "ONE" MANDATORY DRUG TEST FOR "ALL" AND THAT WAS ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO!!!! In the end this is a disservice to those few individuals who desperately need help. (I wish my employer in the early eighties drug tested me before i developed a raging cocaine habit!!) So unless new language is built into the next contract expect more of these dangerous individuals to be HIRED and PROTECTED IN THE FUTURE!!! WHEN (NOT IF) THIS INDIVIDUAL FROM 14'S HURTS OR KILLS SOMEONE, WE ARE "ALL" GONNA HAVE BLOOD ON "OUR" HANDS !!!!!
ReplyDeleteFirst off this is not about Waller , it is about repeated offense of what is supposed to be a zero tolerance policy. Not only was he driven home and later found passed out in the street, he was still in uniform, no think about that. This man was also a School bus driver, he was fired from that job after being found drunk and asleep behind the wheel of the bus.Check into it Kevin. As noted he is a danger, but the real danger is the morale of the men who watch this saga unfold time and time again, how do you ask others to live by the rules when some are allowed to break,no shatter them repeatedly with no consequences.
ReplyDeleteHe is also known to be hiding behind the fact he was in Iraq, but I worked with this guy when he thought it would be a skate to sign up for the guard to get another pension, how he said he would not go when the Middle East went crazy and how they finally sent his ass over there.
He is no model FF with a problem, he was lazy from day 1 I know I was there day 1. sometimes you got to cut the finger off to save the hand.
I agree that this FF from 14's has a serious problem, and needs to get help, he also needs to be taken off the line so he doesn't do harm to the citizens and to his fellow fire fighters. It almost seams to me, and it's not like it hasn't happen in the past, that this guy has a connection to someone in the higher position, once they find out who it is, then the FF's can understand why he is still on the job.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The only reason this dangerous jerk is still on the job is because he has connections. I am glad Kevin Brookman that you have posted this. It should be helpful when someone has to sue the HFD for negligence. I think it is absolutely pitiful that the management of the HFD is playing Russian Roulette with peoples lives.
ReplyDeleteTake it to the news. Let the public know who is really responding to emergency calls. This department is out of control.
ReplyDeleteSoon all will be put straight when waller is in charge. So get to focusing on yo job before waller puts five cross yo lips !!
ReplyDeleteMad Dog Waller is absolutely useless. God forbid that an innocent person should have to suffer because of the drunk in 14's. That's when your buddy Wallers hiney is going to be on the line with the rest of those who ignored and turned a blind eye to the situation.
ReplyDelete