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Sunday, December 7, 2014

MORE ON THE DUELING HFD LIEUTENANTS

HFD Fire Lieutenant Tyson , left, LT Cunningham, Right, in the basement of 16 Chatham St. Hartford
 
 
Let's recap the incident first, here is the official HPD version:

On December 6, 2014 at 11:56am, the Hartford Fire Department was dispatched to 16 Chatham Street for a working fire. Following the fire, at 1:40pm a Hartford Police Officer was dispatched to the Fire House at 25 Blue Hills Ave. on a report of a disturbance between two Hartford Fire Department Lieutenants. 

The incident involves a reported altercation between the two lieutenants at the 16 Chatham Street fire scene. Both the involved Lieutenants and a witness (HFD employee) were interviewed.  Neither of the parties involved wished to press charges. The incident was not in public view.  There were no reported injuries.  The HPD officer documented the incident and his actions. This report will be available through the FOI process. HPD Case# 14-39394.

HFD Chief Carlos Huertas offered the following comment:
“We are a Fire Department as well as a family. The women and men of this department are performing a very technical and dangerous job during the most difficult and stressful of times. Today’s incident only proves that our brave firefighters are human. Rest assure, we will examine this incident and take appropriate action to ensure public safety"
 
I already wrote some of my initial thoughts on the incident immediately after it happened, but the more I thought about it overnight, the more aggravated I was by these so called "professionals" and their behavior. More importantly though was my disappointment and disgust with the explanation given by Hartford Fire Chief Carlos Huertas.
 
According to HPD's Deputy Chief Brian Foley's release:
 
HFD Chief Carlos Huertas offered the following comment:
“We are a Fire Department as well as a family. The women and men of this department are performing a very technical and dangerous job during the most difficult and stressful of times. Today’s incident only proves that our brave firefighters are human. Rest assure, we will examine this incident and take appropriate action to ensure public safety"
 
There doesn't seem to be any upset, it doesn't seem to bother Huertas that two ranking members of his Department were fighting at a Fire scene. That two of his "officers" have just embarrassed all other members of His department who have had more than their share of embarrassing news coverage recently, but I guess it is no big deal to Huertas ( Most likely they will have plenty more as things unfold over the next weeks and possibly months)
 
To seem to explain this as a minor family type squabble is insensitive and offensive to every victim of domestic violence. Chief, when family members punch another family member in the head and then put them in a headlock trying to choke them out, that is called Domestic Violence and the aggressor gets arrested and protective orders are issued whether they are having a "stressful" time or not. They aren't defined as minor firehouse wrestling matches, they are dealt with by the Police and the Courts as the serious incidents they are.
 
It is no wonder why your Department members that have been making the news  who seem to think they are above the law. You are setting the tone for them.  They probably feel that professionally  there will be no repercussions for their bad behavior . Whether it is shooting a friend in the head while intoxicated  or driving drunk at almost 3 times over the limit and causing and then fleeing  from an accident, Don't Worry, Chief  Huertas has your back.

We deserve far better when we dial 911 for help. Not the basement version of human "Rock em  Sock em Robots"
 
Oh and lets not forget who is really running HFD, their Union. The fact that two of the Unions Executive Board members are now on administrative  suspension over their bad acts should not escape the attention of anyone. Lt. Tyson , who from all sources I spoke to about the fighting incident was the aggressor in yesterdays fight , and has been while on the job with similar incidents in the past and Firefighter Vendetti was the alleged drunk driver that caused the Farmington accident and was arrested . They both serve on the HFD Union Executive Board.
 
And lets not forget that the Union President apparently ran interference for the firefighter, Douglas Caldwell who eventually resigned after his drunken scandals while on duty.That was another proud moment for the Department and should have been dealt with immediately if the Department had a strong leader. Instead the Union protected Caldwell and ran interference for him, until their hand was forced when the behavior was exposed here on this blog. You can read that initial posting here. You can read much more about Caldwell by entering "Caldwell" in the search box at the top of the blog.

I know that there are some great firefighters that aren't thrilled  about having their dirty laundry exposed here  and in the media, but they aren't the problem causing this.  The self respecting members of HFD who do their jobs day in and day out deserve our respect and appreciation. But you also have the power to set the tone for your Department. You should be calling for the Chief  to stand up and run your Department, not the puppetmaster at City Hall .

You should be loud and clear about calling for the appointment of an Assistant Chief who is deserving of the position.You should also demand that your Union Executive Board represents you and your professional standards. Insist that they stop supporting  bad firefighters and bad behavior, and if they are part of that bad behavior that is embarrassing the rest of you force a recall or resignations . Set the tone, please . The residents of Hartford are counting on you.

In the mean time Chief Huertas stop condoning this reprehensible behavior. Stop supporting those that are embarrassing you and start supporting those that are willing to work with you and clean things up, they aren't your enemies. There are people that have a long and proud  tradition with HFD and aren't there for just ego's and paychecks. I think you know that SKB or Mayor Segarra don't have your best interests  and success at heart and the sooner you stand up to that the better you and all the good members of the Hartford Fire Department  that are counting on you and your leadership to remain safe and succeed. And maybe an apology to victims of Domestic Violence that you seemed to trivialize might be in order

Let me use the words you use at the end of your e-mails Chief, "Be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, Don't make assumptions. Always do your best".  Chief, can you say you are doing that or does it just look good on your e-mails?

 

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Charlie Huertas is a bumbling idiot. What ever project he starts is guaranteed to end just as quickly. The man cannot focus his efforts or attention log enough to finish the task. When he assignes anything to Waller it to is guaranteed never to be completed or implemented. Their both completely incompetent. Years ago our union would make sure the Chief was adhering to the contract, now the union is nothing more than bunch of defense attorneys protecting all "Dobson Deciples" hired years ago when he was chief. How's that saying go: "the chickens have come home to roost"! Hartford wanted only city residents and they got city residence, unfortunately its caught up with them.

Anonymous said...

City resident Terry Waller is too busy with serious, illegal improvements and renovations at 287 Park, as well as his other properties. The structural work he's doing at 287 Park must be done quickly and quietly since it's done without a license and without permits. After all, Terry was behind on his taxes so he had to catch up and move fast.
Our city top lawyer, SKB, is fully aware of this but does nothing to stop it.
Our city licenses & Inspection is fully aware of this but do nothing to stop it.
I'm told that Segarra and his spouse read this blog, so now the mayor himself is on notice.

Anonymous said...

If Huertas is going to compare his dysfunctional firefighters to a family, he might want to consider attending counseling with them and by the looks of their recent history, AA meetings also. Maybe hold them at the monthly Union meetings

Anonymous said...

The two men that belong as Chief and assistant chief are DeputyChief Shapiro and Chief of training Dan Nolan. Two men that actually have balls and know what's going on and also Deputy Chief Mike Juda. 3 men with a proven track record who won't embarrassed the department

Anonymous said...

When Huertas asked Shapiro to be the Interim Assistant Chief, Shapiro told him that he would but it can"t be the "same old crap" that has been going on inside the department for years, the department has to change for the better and look towards the future. Huertas agreed 100%. Now skip to present day, Shapiro stepped down and went back to his Deputy Chiefs position on the line because Huertas was incompetent and useless in making any decision, correction Huertas did make a decision, not transferring Shapiro back to Tour D / District 1 where he came from after he said he would. This is the kind of man Huertas is, a useless coward who will not stick up for his employees, interests, or department.

Tic tac toe said...

When terry takes over, he will handle all of you like apollo creed in rocky. Enough of your big mouth capt D. Are you running for mayor ?
I cant wait for the city hall xmas party, which none of you will be there.

Anonymous said...

Kevin,,No disrespect ,but YOU contributed to the mess the Fire Dept is in by SUPPORTING and BELIEVING in the ridiculous notion that HIRING "ONLY" CITY RESIDENTS would better suit the Dept. YOU and OTHERS bought into the "UNFOUNDED" theory that hiring people who reflect the makeup of the city over "more qualified" non-residents would benefit its residents. I HAVE ASKED YOU SEVERAL TIMES TO JUSTIFY YOUR POSITION,,,PLEASE RESPOND! YOU AND OTHERS "WANTED" THE FIRE DEPT TO "LOOK" LIKE HARTFORD ,,WELL GUESS WHAT, YOU PEOPLE HIT THE "BULLSEYE"!!!!! Years ago or i should say decades ago,NEPOTISM worked well in most all occupations ,plumbers..carpenters...lawyers..etc...would pass down their skills to "QUALIFIED" sons ,nephews,cousins etc. NEPOTISM was extremely prevalent in the fire and police service. Here's the sad fact why it worked back then and not now. Those "old timers" WOULD NOT ALLOW INCOMPETENCE,, which would have disgraced their hard work and "good name". NEPOTISM in the HARTFORD FIRE DEPT has for "TOO" long taken the dangerous path of hiring those that are least qualified but "CONNECTED". The word "embarrassment" does not exist in the City Of Hartford,,no one seems to care about having PRIDE THROUGH ESTABLISHED REPUTATION,,,THATS WHAT"NEPOTISM" MEANS TO ME!

Anonymous said...

Yo Tic tac toe, am I invited to the Xmas party? Who's gonna serve the caviar this year?
How about paying your taxes, AAC Wallet, so we can have some $$ for the caviar

Anonymous said...

Tic tac toe Terry cant wait for the city hall xmas party. We cant wait for the handcuffs put on SKB

Capt D is a zero said...

The media is calling huertas a coverup artist. This is not good. Trying to make excuses and muddy a death ?!?!! This is the worst thing that could happen. Who is gonna fill his footsteps ?? Nolan is done. Terry is connected, but a complete idiot. An external replacement would be best, but i would not envy who gets that task.

Anonymous said...

Its good to kno you an Dan Nolan are dating, kevin.

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Anonymous 9:49;

I wish, did you see that beach house he bought from the last settlement from the City. I hope he properly thanked Eddie Perez and Chief Teale for it.

Anonymous said...

If im getting this right,it sounds like a classic scenario where a "truckie" or "rescue guy" is trying to "push in closer" to save the day. Well chew on this awhile before you respond,,,,STATISTICALLY, ENGINE CREWS LOCATE AND FACILATATE MORE RESCUES OF FIRE VICTIMS THAN ANY OTHER COMPANIES,,,,( by the way ,nice job rescuing that girl on Hamilton St. Cookie from "ENGINE" Co 15,we are proud of you). So if thats appealing to any of you,then put in for a transfer ,otherwise continue with your supporting roles. We engine guys appreciate that your always "BEHIND US" all the way at "real " fires!!!

Tac 4 life said...

Capt ocasio, u r my hero ...

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Let' not get too far off line with the bashing comments, I think we all appreciate and respect what you all do. I can understand the bitterness due to the lack of leadership and poor morale, but when we need you we don't care if its a tac member or from an engine, we just want the best possible. don't forget that most of the guys you are tearing apart here would most likely lay their lives down for you also if it came to it

KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Let' not get too far off line with the bashing comments, I think we all appreciate and respect what you all do. I can understand the bitterness due to the lack of leadership and poor morale, but when we need you we don't care if its a tac member or from an engine, we just want the best possible. don't forget that most of the guys you are tearing apart here would most likely lay their lives down for you also if it came to it

Anonymous said...

Brokman,

When you limit the field of eligable candidates to city residents only, you are NOT getting the "best possible" candidates.

I seriously doubt that those who are here just for the paycheck will lay their life down for anyone.

If you needed brain surgery would you choose your surgeon on the basis of race/ethnicity or the location of their home? I know that I wouldn't.

When your life is on the line, these things shouldn't matter. But in Hartford, the emphasis is on the color of your skin and not the content of your character. That is the real motive behind the residency requirement.

And before anyone gets the wrong idea, I would like to say that I've had the pleasure to work with many fine people of all colors and ethnicities. But if the goal is to make the city departments look like the community we serve, at least open up the process so that the people we serve get the "best possible" candidates. The citizens of this city deserve nothing less than the best services.

Thank you Dr. M.L. King for your infinite wisdom. I still believe in your dream. May you rest in peace.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
KEVIN BROOKMAN said...

Just to clarify, I have never advocated for residency requirements for City employee's and I am still not committed to forcing residency on Department heads, I am not convinced that A DPW Director will do a better job because he lives on this side of the City line than south of it we should make it inviting for employees to live in Hartford, not force them to