Fire engine returned to city with $17,000 repair bill

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by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Macedonia -- The fire chief said that while a 48-hour suspension for a firefighter in connection with a mishap that caused $17,000 in damages to a city fire truck was justified, he feels budget cutbacks contributed to the incident.

"I believe our tower falling over was a direct result of reductions in training," he said.

He said budgetary concerns forced the department to begin cutting training sessions from once weekly about five years ago to twice monthly, beginning last year. Black estimated that each three-hour session costs roughly $1,000 for overtime pay.

The six hours of training a month, which Black said is the minimum needed for firefighters, paramedics, instructors and inspectors to maintain certification with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, includes all aspects of firefighting and EMS skills.

"Everything that we do, we try to go over," said Black, including the proper use of equipment -- a mistake in this area led to the March 11 accident.

During a routine monthly maintenance check, the tower of an aerial tower truck swung loose and came down on a heating vent on top of the station, tipping over the truck at a 45-degree angle. The truck was returned to the city April 8 after repairs performed by its manufacturer near Columbus.

According to invoices provided by Black, the total repair cost was $17,253 plus $4,950 for transporting the vehicle on a flatbed truck. Black said all but $1,000 will be paid by insurance.

"That's not bad for a $500,000 truck," he said.

The truck sustained damage to its suspension, the 95-foot aerial tower and a side door.

Service Director Jim Crevar estimated that damage to the heating vent and two attic beams was less than $10,000. Black said repair costs to the station will also be paid by insurance, with the city paying an additional $1,000 deductible.

Black said the tower was being extended as part of a monthly maintenance check and was partially extended when it swung loose. He said the firefighter performing the check had neglected to deploy supporting jacks designed to keep the tower stabilized.

Black said the firefighter was on the truck, but jumped off safely when it tipped over. The firefighter was suspended without pay for a pair of 24-hour shifts after negotiations with the firefighter's union in late March, said Black.

Two additional 24-hour suspensions for the employee are on hold pending a 90-day probationary period.

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169