Don't we ever learn

[TRUCK6018 50]

From Firefighter Close Calls & The Secret List

Hey...

A Riverhead (Suffolk County, L.I.N.Y.) Fire Officer was arraigned today for allegedly taking out a utility pole while driving drunk in fire apparatus. Captain Robert Block is being charged by the cops with DWI and endangering the welfare of a child.

Captain Block was arrested yesterday after he allegedly crashed into the pole while driving back from the Village of Greenport parade. The cops said the Captains 8-year-old son and another Firefighter, who was injured in the crash, were also in the apparatus.

As utility crews replaced the pole today, the Riverhead FD, naturally, took a lot of heat. "We notified the police department," said Commissioner Bill Kelly. "And we've been doing our own internal investigation. It puts a black eye on every member of this department." Captain Block, with 10 years of service has been suspended.

While there is no question that the Captain has provided more than a decade of good service to the Department, the D.U.I. issue again is brought to light in the fire service. Here are some related thoughts on the FF DUI issue in case you missed them the last time...

http://firefighterclosecalls.com/secretPHP...php?issueID=398

There is a lot that can be done to avoid this from happening again in any FD....we just have to want it. Brotherhood? Pah-leez. Ignoring the booze problem in our departments allows real bad stuff to happen...eventually...and we chose to ignore it a lot for a variety of reasons. Dealing with the booze issue at any FD is difficult for any member of any FD...but it doesn't take away the need to still deal with it directly or indirectly. Or, just ignore it and let history repeat itself...not knowing who they will hurt or potentially kill. This latest DUI amongst "us" is another warning from an incident that is real bad-and could have been horrific.

Maybe this can help: http://www.withthecommand.com/2003-May/OH-BillyG-AA.html

More to follow.

Take Care-BE CAREFUL and THINK.

BillyG

The Secret List 2-17-08 / 2128 hours

www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com <http://www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com>

[Monty 35]

I posted this story as well here.

Surprised (Sad??) that no one else has anything to say about this.

[FFLieu 70]

I posted this story as well here.

Surprised (Sad??) that no one else has anything to say about this.

It's sad that things like this are becoming too commonplace. And, what really stings is that it's a minority of bad seeds in the fire service that gives us all a bad name.