All rights reserved. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved Anthony C. Marrone as the next county fire chief, but board members made clear they wanted to see improvements in the numbers of women and people of color in the agencys ranks. He said that effort will begin by working to stabilize the departments budget, which he said needs to be increased to provide a higher level of service for the community. He will return to serve as interim chief, taking over for Fire Chief Jon Thompson, who was put on administrative leave. Curbing firefighter arsons is one of the toughest nuts to crack, but here are some steps to get a handle on the problem. Business Hours. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. He was terminated earlier this year. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Alicia Banks is a former Metpro trainee at the Los Angeles Times. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators or space heaters. A former battalion chief for the Compton Fire Department who once appeared on a reality television show has been charged with setting fire to his own department's headquarters in . The defendant allegedly set the fire to conceal the theft of the radio equipment. Cerie Smith, PT, DPT, CSCS, Director of Rehabilitation and Wellness, Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department; Editor: Mike Wieder, Associate Director, FPP, Executive Director, IFSTA. The resolution of the case came as a surprise to Fire Department employees who appeared at a downtown courthouse prepared to testify against someone they said was like family. Village of Evansville Fire Department- $25,837.62. You've been successfully signed up for the Fire Chief. Preparing for an emergency is everyone's responsibility. . Melanson's case has been submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. Fire Chief? interacts online and researches product purchases NEIGHBORHOODS: Read more news from Compton. Enter https://www.firerescue1.com/ and click OK. 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Through a repeat buyer, investigators discovered that Melanson had been selling other Compton-owned radio equipment since 2008, Rose added. Thanks! 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KCRA-TV. Its something thats going to be cleaned up very soon, Gomez said. www.firehouse.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. Fire officials are still struggling to restore emergency medical technician licenses that lapsed for 17 of the citys 74 firefighters, including Thompson. Vintage Fireman Fire Department Helmet Badge Shield RIDGEFIELD FD Cairns & Bro . Cardiac arrests are among the most time-sensitive medical emergencies. Lexipol. As you stay cozy and warm this winter season, be fire smart! Former Fire Chief Rico. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for fire service professionals worldwide. . Thompson was placed on administrative leave at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. You've been added to our list and will hear from us soon. Melanson had served with the fire department for 17 years. Olmsted Fire Department- $26,000. An investigation by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department found that many of the radios were sold to private buyers or on EBay and that Melanson had been selling Compton-owned radio equipment since 2008. He also conceded the department needs to be streamlined, with a reduction in the overall number of employees. Compton fire officials were unable to produce paperwork showing city firefighters had up-to-date training, and the devices were removed from non-paramedic vehicles Friday. Ford Aerostar van. Under state law, emergency rescuers must be periodically retrained on how to use the equipment before it can be carried on the firetrucks and ambulances that respond to the bulk of 911 calls for medical help. Irreversible brain damage can begin after four minutes. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Investigators from the Long Beach and Montebello fire departments, as well as the U.S.Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, concluded the blaze was arson. The investigation of Melanson started after a fire spread across a racquetball court inside Compton Fire Station No. "By his plea in criminal court, Marcel took responsibility for his actions, for not only a violation of the law, but for a violation of the trust of the residents of Compton," defense attorney George Bird said in a statement. Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year. Fire Capt. All rights reserved. July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day! Home fires occur more in winter than in any other season. Prior to being placed on leave, Thompson maintained that losing defibrillators from most fire vehicles did not put the public at greater risk. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. LOS ANGELES The county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Anthony C. Marrone as the next county fire chief Feb. 28, but board members made clear they wanted to see improvements in the numbers of women and people of color in the agency's ranks. Los Angeles Times. He had faced up to 10 years and eight months in prison, Rose said. The 2018 Fire Rescue Community Report outlines the department's mission, reports out on 2018 stats, and highlights the role of each division. We, and other small departments across the country, often rely on mutual aid from other fire departments when responding to major emergencies such as building fires, major vehicle crashes, and large grass fires. Authorities conducted a joint investigation with arson investigators from the Long Beach Fire Department and Montebello Fire Department. 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He was later assigned to Fire Station 105 in Compton as his second probationary station. A Compton Fire Battalion Chief of training headed the development and implementation of the Fire Technology and Education Programs dating back to the mid-1980. Fire Chief Darcey O'Riordan . Authorities charge that the terminated deputy chief set a fire at department headquarters as part of his theft of thousands of dollars in radios. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs . COMPTON, Calif. A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief pleaded no contest Tuesday to felony charges of arson of property and embezzlement by a public official. July 7, 2015 / 10:50 PM The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved Anthony C. Marrone as the next county fire chief, but board members made clear they wanted to see improvements in the numbers of women and people of color in the agency's ranks. COMPTON, Calif. (AP) A huge fire visible across Los Angeles burned stacks of pallets in a commercial yard and buses parked in a neighboring lot Friday. COMPTON (CBSLA.com) Compton Fire Department Chief Jon Thompson has been placed on leave pending an investigation into compliance with key lifesaving devices. The city managers move to place Thompson on leave was welcomed by Councilwoman Janna Zurita, who has been a critic of the way city leaders have handled the agencys problems. May 17, 2013. Opening the process will ensure that diverse applicants from across the nation have the opportunity to apply, according to the letter. $7.50 + $10.11 shipping. The heavily tattooed Compton Fire Department deputy chief was the star of his own reality series on BET called "First In . Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Your Privacy Choices/(Opt-Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). The Compton Fire Chief requested the LASD's Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau to assist in looking into the case on January 4, 2012. April 16--A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief pleaded no contest Tuesday to felony charges of arson of property and embezzlement by a public official. The allegations shook the Compton Fire Department, where Melanson had been well-liked. The flames burned through the roof of the building, which was heavily damaged. Duane Compton Fire Department Title: Fire Chief Phone: 417-732-3801 dcompton@republicmo.com. This process is automatic. LITTLE COMPTON, R.I. (WPRI) When Steven Velozo died on Oct. 2, little about his death was made public. Marrone committed to the board that he would work to continue efforts by his predecessor, Daryl Osby, to improve representation within the agency, to make sure we can move the needle to be more inclusive of women and people of color, not only when hiring, but when promoting.. Supervisor Holly Mitchell told Marrone the agency has had a historic under-representation of people of color and women.. California Nearly 1 in 4 Compton firefighters is working without an EMT permit Engines from the Compton Fire Department on display during an unveiling in 2006. Smith, 65, served as Comptons fire chief for four years, leaving the office in 2007, he said. Copyright 2023 FireRescue1. For the latest on this developing story follow @palewire. A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief was sentenced to three years and four months in prison for selling city-owned radio equipment and starting a fire to conceal the theft, prosecutors said. Welsh has contributed to projects that have won the Pulitzer Prize, the Library of Congress Innovation Award, a Knight News Challenge grant and numerous other prizes for investigative reporting, digital design and online journalism. "We have identified where the breakdown was in terms of the training and the continuing [education] and so the county and Department of Public Health is working with us," he said, adding, "Since we've taken them off, there hasn't been any type of calls where we would have used them within the last week or so.". Are you a Firefighter at All rights reserved. 1. FIREFIGHTING TRAINING AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BUREAU DISPATCH A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief was sentenced to three years and four months in prison for selling city-owned radio equipment and starting a fire to conceal the theft,. Full story: Former Compton Fire Department deputy chief arrested for arson. A tech lover who constantly finds . You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. We are able to provide high-quality political journalism to you for free thanks to our advertisers. Copyright 2014 Los Angeles Times Lexipol. Board members said they had confidence in Marrones ability to improve the makeup of the agency. Apr 16, 2014. Keep anything that can burn at . We will fix everything thats broke. Smith said. Marcel Dione Melanson, 38, was ordered to pay $517,477 in restitution for the 2011 fire; he paid $100,000 before being taken into custody. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month. Compton Fire Chief Jon Thompson was placed on leave Tuesday as the city launched an investigation after a series of Times reports on breakdowns in the fire agencys management of emergency medical care. The countys decision came after The Times disclosed in March that nearly one in four Compton firefighters lacked a permit to perform emergency medical care, a key credential required by other local fire agencies. "He deeply regrets that his actions have hurt his family, his friends, and those who he worked with, his fellow firefighters.". Melanson set up the fire to look accidental, said Patrick Wills, an arson investigator with the Long Beach Fire Department. Chief of Department Fire Chief: Richard G. Petrin RPetrin@tlcri.com Public Safety Complex 60 Simmons Road Little Compton,RI 02837 Website: littlecomptonfirerescue.com Telephone: (401) 635-2323 Fax: (401) 635-2013 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 9-1-1 Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away as possible from your house. Shop high quality Compton Fire Department shirts from Compton Fire Apparel.. After the damaged radios were accounted for and it was noticed that some were missing, an investigation was opened, Deputy Dist. Former Fire Chief Rico Smith will take over day-to-day management of the department and serve as interim chief, Ford said. As a result of the plea, authorities dropped the more severe charge of arson of a structure and a second embezzlement count. Atty. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for fire service professionals worldwide. Published: September 2020. The radios were purchased by Compton's city government in connection with the planned re-establishment of the Compton Police Department, LASD spokesperson Steve Whitmore said. Officials say the investigation is continuing. 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. COMPTON, Calif. A former deputy chief for the Compton Fire Department has been arrested for allegedly starting a fire at headquarters and stealing thousands of dollars in . The arrest stems from what investigators say was a suspicious fire that broke out at Compton Fire Department headquarters on Acacia Avenue on December 11, 2011. 1 in December 2011 in an indoor racquetball court where the radio equipment was stored. In Case of an Emergency, call 9-1-1. Home fires occur more in winter than in any other season. The equipment, valued at more than $1 million, was bought by the city during a failed attempt to revive its Police Department, which had been disbanded in favor of a policing contract with theLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department. . He must also register as an arson offender for life, the Los Angeles County district attorneys office said.