Uncertified firefighters were ordered several months ago to qualify for EMT cards by the end of May, he said. Thompson said no harm has come to the public. The other seven are higher-ranking officials who perform office work. Ten of the uncertified firefighters are still stationed at the city’s four firehouses, but limited to an assisting role when responding to 911 calls for medical help, he said. “There were several individuals that didn’t get recertified and they lapsed,” Thompson said. A regime of refresher courses is required every two years. To become an EMT in California, students must learn how to handle patients with severe trauma, properly dress wounds and deliver shocks to cardiac arrest victims. The uncertified list ranges from firefighters in the lowest ranks up to Thompson himself, a former paramedic, city data show. “It’s something that never happened before and it’ll never happen again,” Thompson said. Top officials are scrambling to certify rescuers who lost their permits in recent years, according to Fire Chief Jon Thompson. That amounts to 23% of the agency’s rank and file. Out of 74 firefighters at the Compton Fire Department, 17 lack a valid emergency medical technician, or EMT, card, according to city records obtained via the California Public Records Act. Nearly one in four Compton firefighters is working without a permit to perform emergency medical care, a key credential required by other local fire agencies, a Times investigation has found. Union officials say it will be at least 30 days before firefighters can return to Fire Station 1.COMPTON, Calif. “Actually, our fire chief called us this morning to give us a preliminary plan and the status of the repairs and I could see first hand that we have a company out here starting the repair process and mitigation issues,” said Daniel Salazar, Union President of Compton Firefighters Local 2216. Union members say they are making loans where they are due and the problem is being dealt with. The Compton City Manager told Eyewitness News that as soon as they were notified of Fire Station 1, they stepped in to ensure repairs were made. This is an unfortunate matter and I stand behind our firefighters and will support them 100% to resolve this issue and improve our service to the public and staff. This situation is unacceptable to our firefighters and the citizens of Compton. In a statement he says,Īs a councilor in this city, I am appalled at the conditions at our fire stations. Union reps say they are concerned about longer response times because firefighters have been relocated, but they are working as quickly as possible.Ĭompton Councilor Jonathan Bowers does not represent the borough where Fire Station 1 is located but says he has been with the Compton Fire Department in the past. Part of the building was closed on March 31st.Īdministrative personnel working in a separate part of Fire Station 1 can continue to work there, but about 15 firefighters have been moved to the living quarters of Fire Station 3. Union Vice President of Compton Firefighters Local 2216. At that point, I looked at it, inspected it, and noticed the ceiling started falling off,” said Antonio Chavez. “I got to the ward and noticed water was leaking from the ward in the bathroom. The problems could be due to the recent storms. (KABC)– Water damage and possible mildew forced the closure of the living quarters at Compton Fire Station 1.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |