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Despite AnnDee Huber's death....some people just don't learn!
Those who ignore history.....are doomed to repeat it! Case in point.
THERMOPOLIS, Wyo. (AP) - The city's fire chief, Mark Collins,
had a blood-alcohol level well above the state's legal limit when
he responded to a recent car fire at Hot Springs State Park, police
said Monday.
The allegation comes amid heightened concern about intoxicated
firefighters in Wyoming following a May crash that killed a
16-year-old volunteer firefighter while she rode to a fire. The
driver of the truck, Ron J. Caillier, of Newcastle, has been
charged with aggravated homicide.
Thermopolis Police Chief Jim Wiesbeck said officer Pat Cornwell
smelled alcohol on Collins and thought the fire chief seemed
intoxicated after he arrived at the fire in his own vehicle
Wednesday night.
After consenting to a Breathalyzer test, Collins allegedly
registered a blood-alcohol level 0.14 percent and was arrested for
driving under the influence. Wyoming's legal limit is 0.8 percent.
The volunteer fire department's third in command, Capt. Jerry
Williams, was unsure what the department will do about the
allegation. He said the department's options range from taking no
action to asking for Collins' resignation.
Williams, an attorney in Thermopolis, said the department has no
tolerance for firefighters who drive the department's vehicles
while under the influence. "I'm not sure if we have a policy on
how to treat an individual who responds to a fire call in their own
vehicle who is legally impaired," he said.
He said drinking one alcoholic beverage more than an hour before
a call would not usually keep a firefighter from joining a crew on
a truck.
"I can't say I wasn't over the legal limit," Collins said. "I
was not impaired to the point that I could not do my job."
Collins said he helped crimp the Volkswagen's gas line to keep
gasoline from spewing out.
"This is the first mistake of this magnitude I've made in 40
years," he said. "We'll have to see what the department members
want to do. I'm sure there will be a lot of discussion."
The department's firefighters planned to meet Tuesday.
Assistant Mayor Dan Stansill called the allegation a "tough
thing" for the fire department, Collins and the city. He did not
expect disciplinary action against Collins.
"This will have no impact on his job. He was not driving a town
vehicle nor was he carrying out any job responsibilities on behalf
of the town," Stansill said.
Collins' initial circuit court appearance was scheduled for July
18.
On May 22, Anndee Huber was killed when Caillier, 47, allegedly
lost control of a fire tanker while heading to a grass fire. Huber
was ejected and crushed to death under the 25-ton truck, according
to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
Prosecutors allege Caillier's blood-alcohol level was 0.16
percent, twice the legal limit. He allegedly drank five 20-ounce
beers in an hour and a half that evening, leaving a Newcastle bar
about 15 minutes before his pager went off.
Caillier has said he swerved to avoid hitting a deer.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
You know what Chief? Your judgement about your ability to perform in that condition was SEVERELY impaired. You are an embarassment to firefighters across this country. Wake up, look in the mirror...and admit you were wrong. Your resignation is the least we should expect. If you can not learn from the death of a young firefighter...not long ago...and not far away..........you'll never learn. Hang up the boots now Chief!
THERMOPOLIS, Wyo. (AP) - The city's fire chief, Mark Collins,
had a blood-alcohol level well above the state's legal limit when
he responded to a recent car fire at Hot Springs State Park, police
said Monday.
The allegation comes amid heightened concern about intoxicated
firefighters in Wyoming following a May crash that killed a
16-year-old volunteer firefighter while she rode to a fire. The
driver of the truck, Ron J. Caillier, of Newcastle, has been
charged with aggravated homicide.
Thermopolis Police Chief Jim Wiesbeck said officer Pat Cornwell
smelled alcohol on Collins and thought the fire chief seemed
intoxicated after he arrived at the fire in his own vehicle
Wednesday night.
After consenting to a Breathalyzer test, Collins allegedly
registered a blood-alcohol level 0.14 percent and was arrested for
driving under the influence. Wyoming's legal limit is 0.8 percent.
The volunteer fire department's third in command, Capt. Jerry
Williams, was unsure what the department will do about the
allegation. He said the department's options range from taking no
action to asking for Collins' resignation.
Williams, an attorney in Thermopolis, said the department has no
tolerance for firefighters who drive the department's vehicles
while under the influence. "I'm not sure if we have a policy on
how to treat an individual who responds to a fire call in their own
vehicle who is legally impaired," he said.
He said drinking one alcoholic beverage more than an hour before
a call would not usually keep a firefighter from joining a crew on
a truck.
"I can't say I wasn't over the legal limit," Collins said. "I
was not impaired to the point that I could not do my job."
Collins said he helped crimp the Volkswagen's gas line to keep
gasoline from spewing out.
"This is the first mistake of this magnitude I've made in 40
years," he said. "We'll have to see what the department members
want to do. I'm sure there will be a lot of discussion."
The department's firefighters planned to meet Tuesday.
Assistant Mayor Dan Stansill called the allegation a "tough
thing" for the fire department, Collins and the city. He did not
expect disciplinary action against Collins.
"This will have no impact on his job. He was not driving a town
vehicle nor was he carrying out any job responsibilities on behalf
of the town," Stansill said.
Collins' initial circuit court appearance was scheduled for July
18.
On May 22, Anndee Huber was killed when Caillier, 47, allegedly
lost control of a fire tanker while heading to a grass fire. Huber
was ejected and crushed to death under the 25-ton truck, according
to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
Prosecutors allege Caillier's blood-alcohol level was 0.16
percent, twice the legal limit. He allegedly drank five 20-ounce
beers in an hour and a half that evening, leaving a Newcastle bar
about 15 minutes before his pager went off.
Caillier has said he swerved to avoid hitting a deer.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Collins says -- in his words now -- that he CAN'T say he was NOT
over the legal limit for alcohol. But he says he was NOT impaired
to the point that he could NOT do his job.
over the legal limit for alcohol. But he says he was NOT impaired
to the point that he could NOT do his job.
You know what Chief? Your judgement about your ability to perform in that condition was SEVERELY impaired. You are an embarassment to firefighters across this country. Wake up, look in the mirror...and admit you were wrong. Your resignation is the least we should expect. If you can not learn from the death of a young firefighter...not long ago...and not far away..........you'll never learn. Hang up the boots now Chief!
(Me)
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