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Chief ‘disappointed’ firefighter in brawl was suspended, not fired
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Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White
SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said she was “disappointed” that a firefighter who punched another in a firehouse brawl that was covered up received a 120-day suspension instead of getting fired.
The San Francisco Fire Commission voted Monday to suspend Bela Carreira, a five-year department veteran, for punching Joel Soto, who was in his first, probationary year, in an on-duty brawl. The San Francisco Fire Commission stopped short of accepting Chief Joanne Hayes-White’s recommendation to fire Carreira because it found that Soto had attacked Carreira first.
In June, The Examiner reported that some of the firefighters of Station 32 in Bernal Heights covered up the May 20 fight. Acting Lt. Tom Masterson, who was in charge of the station the night of the fight and allegedly coordinated the cover-up, resigned, as he faced a 90-day suspension.
“It is a stiff penalty,” Hayes-White said of the 120-day suspension. “I don't recall one in recent history being this long, but it wasn’t what I was recommending or seeking.” She said the suspension was “discouraging” because workplace violence should not be tolerated.
Soto, who is on probationary status, will lose his job, sources said. Hayes-White did not confirm or deny that because the disciplinary process is still ongoing.
Three other firefighters and paramedics on duty the night of the fight received suspensions of between eight and nine days for their parts in the cover-up. The chief has the power to suspend department members up to 10 days without bringing the matter before the commission.
Soto, who suffered a cut lip and broken cheek after Carreira hit him, claimed that Carreira had attacked him after an argument that continued throughout the 12-hour shift. The argument started when Carreira told Soto that it was impolite to speak Spanish in the firehouse, Soto’s lawyer, William McDevitt, said.
After two deadlocked votes, the four voting commission members decided to retain Carreira in the department. They suspended him for 90 days for the violent incident and 30 days for the cover-up attempt.
Commissioners Stephen Nakajo, George Lau and President Paul Conroy voted in favor of the suspension. Commissioner Victor Makras voted against it.
“A suspension isn’t enough because violence in the workplace is 100 percent unacceptable,” Makras said Friday. He said Soto and Carreira shared equal responsibility for the fight, regardless of who started it or who was injured.
“What made me believe he [Carreira] should not be terminated is that the evidence showed that he did not initiate the physical aggression,” Conroy said Friday. “I believe it occurred very quickly and I don’t believe you take someone’s job away for that.”
Stephen Nakajo, who changed his vote from termination to the 120-day suspension, could not be reached for comment.
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10:50 AM MST on Thu., Jun. 5, 2008 re: "Polk residents alarmed by fire-engine sirens"
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tendernob citizen said:
The sirens are used with absolutely no sense and need to be regulated. For instance and i can provide video documentation of this since i live at post and hyde. Sirens blaring from the second they leave the station at 4am and the street is empty!!!! 2 trucks going down the street with both sirens running, only the first truck needs to run the siren. The siren use is a joke in this area and needs to be looked at. Yes I "chose" to live here because it was all i could afford. That doesn't mean the city shouldn't look out for my health as much as anyone's elses. There also is directional speaker technology to project the sound forward not all directions and signal sensors that should be employed in this area. with gas reaching $5 a gallon it is rediculus to see these huge trucks running to a drunk on the sidewalk when a smaller vehicle would do.
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FF nearby said:
I have a problem with this statement :"Statistically there is very little difference between a code 2 and code 3 response time". Actually there is enough time difference for a CPR or cardiac arrest to save a life. Go google on how long it takes for the brain to die with no oxygen. 30-60 seconds saved in a code-3 call vs a code-2 call can be the difference between life and death. As far as what units to send, I agree with another poster that if the public could give better information. With city's tightened belts (Vallejo for one) have 4 guys on a single engine makes more financial sense than a 3 person engine and 2 person SUV response. One unit and 4 FF's is cheaper and they can handle a multitude of tasks. Med Units (Ambulance for you morons) have 2 people (medic-EMT usually) and they transport the patient. Alot of the time all they need help with is moving the patient, also there are less Med units than engines in the city. So the fire engine ends up going. Very simple fol
1 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Statistically there is very little difference between a code 2 and code 3 response time. San Francisco firefighters have an outrageous compendsation plan that is bolstered in part by the public perception that they are heros. There is a mountain of evidence that patient outcomes in EMS calls are essentially the same in code 2 and code 3 responses. Let's be honest -- heros don't drive code 2. It's bad for business. Brent, if you'd like to discuss this further, contact me through this board and I'll e-mail you.
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Examiner Reader said:
As you can read in the above article, there are many reason that attribute to the SFFD accidents. Yes Mindy, some of the station have narrow doors and can be hit even with a spotter, and the driver must actually look at the spotter and the spotter must also watch for the possible hazards (not just wave the arms). Of course sending fewer rigs to a call would reduce accidents, but may cost in life or property damage, which is the right risk to gamble on. Does the 798 Firefighters Union influence the number of rigs that respond, possible but not as likely as influencing the number for personnel per rig and the number of rig's or firehouses open and able to run calls. Does the chief staff send extra rigs to calls to pad the response numbers and try to show a need for the present number of rigs, of course they do, why, not so some firefighter can make some money, they protect the number of firehouses and rigs on the streets in hope that it will better protect you. Taxes or Insurance?
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Examiner Reader said:
I read this forum and i am amazed once again at the self-centered mind set that is displayed in the comment. As a retired San Francisco Firefighter Paramedic, I can tell you that the SFFD personnel do not enjoy the sound of the sirens and horns any more the annoyed neighbors, and many do what they can to minimize with risking a crash. As to the suggestion to only send Ambulances and SUV's, well in a perfect world the concerned public call 911 would give accurate info and a person sleeping or drunk would not get the same attention as an unconscious or a cardiac call, and heaven forebid that DRUNK or sleeper is really a cardiac patient of beaten unconscious and a member of you family. Why do people choose to rent or buy a home near an airport or firehouse and then complain about the noise, join the world of adults and do your research. The person making you miserable is YOU. Stop blaming others for what you don't like in life. If you do not like the city noise move to another location
3 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I wonder if the number of accidents would be much lower if only the ambulances, not the trucks, responded to medical emergencies - like it's done in the rest of the world.
0 agree | 11 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If the Fire Department followed through with previous promises given to the neighbors around Station 3 we would have no need for having a community meeting and follow up meetings.
56 agree | 65 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I'm sure it can get annoying to have emergency response sirens going off several times a day, however, like many have mentioned before they are not trying to bother Polk residents on purpose. It would not make much sense for them to only sound their sirens once out of the neighborhood either because that has the potential to cause even more problems (i.e. giant fire truck speeding through intersection). It is crucial for the Polk residents to understand that if their loved one's were in need of emergency attention they would want the SFFD as soon as possible. Do not blame the FD for their noise and consider the ramifications of eliminating or even quieting those sirens before crying about losing sleep.
73 agree | 61 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Why don't all you ingrates call Code Pink to come and save youthe next time you're in trouble.
91 agree | 48 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I think they just use their sirens to cut through traffic on their way to eat lunch or dinner.
71 agree | 63 disagree
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Lincoln Navigator said:
Also, there's be a lot less sirens if the SFFD didn't have to respond every time a drunk is passed out on the sidwalk -- another way the homeless problem costs us so much money. Thanks, Chris Daly and Gavin Snoozesome.
71 agree | 69 disagree
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Lincoln Navigator said:
The journalist writing this article hasn't dug deep enough. The real reason paramedics/ambulances roll with fire engines is entirely union related. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
64 agree | 69 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Have you ignorant people stopped to think about what you're bitching about? You think these emergency vehicles go out of their way to "annoy" certain neighborhoods?! Gimme a break. Pac Hts doesn't get disturbed cuz they don't get the calls. The firefighters wouldn't have to use the horns/sirens if people had a clue and got out of the way-but they don't. And if there's even a small fender-bender, guess what-the FD gets the blame and it doesn't matter that some idiot drove into the side of the damn fire truck. Gee-maybe they couldn't see the huge, red truck with flashing lights and horns?? Firefighters don't enjoy the numerous calls they have to go on, particularly for the calls that are redundant-that drunk that passed out. But guess what-by law, they HAVE TO RESPOND. You people are so ungrateful. But ya know what-no matter how much you dog the system or dog firefighters themselves, they'd STILL do everything they could to save your sorry ass. Too bad they can't choose who
65 agree | 75 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It is rediculus how much noise thesse slow moveing vehicles make and they never go through rich nieghbohoodss. Why don't they use Van Ness? I agree the use of sirens is out of control! They make my life hell.
79 agree | 61 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Please do not go out and have the FD defend itself for using the air horns and sirens....have you driven in the town lately?? People cross the street in front of Ambulances, Fire Truck and Engines and they not only cross in front of them, they don't walk quickly or try and get out of the way. People in cars don't get out of the way, heck some of them have headphones on so they can't even hear the sirens...so you know that they are loud. I work near a busy intersection in the City and I am amazed at how inconsiderate drivers/pedestrians are for the emergency vehicles. I work near a hospital and trust me if I was driving one of those rigs, I drum up business for the hospital. The folks that don't get out of the way of an emerg. vehicle don't deserve to be on this planet...unless they want to see the inside of an ER. Hey whatever..just get the hell out of the way of the emergency vehicle. For all you know (or don't know) they could be heading to someone you know,and they need h
66 agree | 68 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
You cold ask them to stop using thier Sirens and air horns, but what happens if they run into your car at an intersection because they are going throuch a red light. or maybe the should wait for all of those polite drivers to move out of the way. Sign language could work. Hey lets not call the fire department at all, then the city would be quite. even if one truck or ambulance responded you would still be disturbed. the problem is the amount of calls they get. You relly should try and not live around so many people and in such a big city. move to the country were they get one or two calls a week and thier are no busy intersections to use the siren at.
76 agree | 47 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
To the sue-happy pansy who feels that a reminder to be grateful for any response at all, let alone an emergency response, sparks the need to call someone a rube, moron, and the like: your ranting is amusing, only because when I was doing roll call for crybabies and whiners, you stood right up and said, "HERE!!" Nice work.
54 agree | 58 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
To the sickofrisco: I live and work in Polk Gulch. I am offended "by the drug dealers, winos, transvestite hookers, petty criminals, and panhandlers that gravitate to that area". I have done nothing to "deserve" them. I have spoken to the Mayor's office, the Tenderloin police captain and Supervisor Chris Daly office to clean up this situation. Nobody has the will to do it. What do YOU suggest we residents do?
86 agree | 50 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Wow. The self-centered and selfish attitudes displayed by these neighbors is sickening. I hope they never have to experience the fear or stress of themselves or a loved one needing immediate help or rescue, but if they do, I'll bet they'd be the first to scream bloody murder about insufficient resources or response times should any of their whiny suggestions be taken seriously.
69 agree | 53 disagree
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sickofrisco said:
Seems that people in that neck of the woods are far more offended by police and fire sirens than they are by the drug dealers, winos, transvestite hookers, petty criminals, and panhandlers that gravitate to that area. Well, nobody can say that the residents of Polk Gulch don't get what they deserve...
50 agree | 57 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
sigh, i used to live across the street from this fire house and i never complained. the first response to a 911 emergency call should always be whoever can get there the most quickly. if that's a truck from station no. 3, then so be it. Should they take actions to minimize the impact of these calls (not blaring sirens more than necessary, using fire SUVs, whatever)? yes, of course they should. but to suggest that a fire truck shouldn't be sent even if it will get there the fastest is... well, it's just wishing harm upon your fellow man. which, you know, is, um, bad.
66 agree | 75 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Currently, the SF Fire Dept. only assigns one E.M.T. or Paramedic per engine or truck. State law mandates that two medically trained emergency personal respond to 911 calls for emergency medical help. It seems to me that assigning two Paramedics or E.M.T.s per engine could cut down on the number of vehicles deployed for emergency medical service requests. Also, San Francisco could learn a thing or two from Los Angeles where small fire trucks and SUV’s are equipped exclusively with emergency medical and rescue equipment and are manned by two paramedics. In L.A., these units respond to medical emergencies and the larger trucks are scrambled in the event of a fire or heavy rescue, saving the county a great deal of money.
99 agree | 69 disagree
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Examining Reader said:
The ignorant person who is made sick (1209pm) needs to take a pill, for IQ deficiency. The issue has been made very clear to those who have reading comprehension (obviously not the rube from 1209pm). There needs to be a way to handle the passed out drunken homeless that does not entail blasting sirens 24/7 and rendering entire stretches of S.F. housing blocks barely liveable. The cute little personalized rhythms the firefighters employed make that much more charming... It was such a problem that I successfully sued my property owner to allow me break the lease after 3 months. I now live in a neighborhood that still has occasional (less than 30x per day) siren attacks that usually mean something has really happened and somebody is really being helped. For that I am gratful, but to hear the system being utterly abused by both the firefighters and the alcoholic street people did not engender the gratitude the Moron from 1209pm thinks I should feel.
87 agree | 56 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Sending a entire fire brigade out every time some drunk passes out on the sidewalk is not the most efficient use of limited resources. How about a single EMS van. As someone who lives a block away the ear piercing noise at all hours is unnerving. This would never be allowed to happen in Pacific Heights.
106 agree | 76 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Where I live, I'm glad to hear my public servants doing their thing. That's why I pay my taxes. They come when I call / need them, so if they're making a ton of noise to get to me in a hurry, so be it. If all that noise isn't for me, I get the hell out of the way and let them take care of business, and suggest these nellies do the same. Thank GOD for police and fire.
76 agree | 85 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
"try cleaning up the drug use in the neighborhood instead ", talk to Chris Daly, the nabe's supervisor. It's not on his agenda, it won't happen.
78 agree | 77 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
You people make me sick. When you have an emergency of your own, you wonder what's taking those loud fire engines and ambulances so darn long. When it's somebody else's emergency, you bitch about it. Newsflash, people: you aren't the only one on the planet to serve. I've personally seen citizens with iPod's blasting in their heads, sauntering across streets slowly and blindly, drivers who won't get out of the way, just plain disregard and idiocy, where code 3 response is concerned. If the frequency of the sirens and horns is really your beef, consider what they're sounding for...try cleaning up the drug use in the neighborhood instead of tearing down public service. Ungrateful bastards.
111 agree | 99 disagree
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