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Emotional Firefighter Faces Suspension in Aftermath of Clarence Center Airline Disaster
Sent to me by a friend; originally posted on WIVB.com
Suspended for violating code of
conduct
Updated: Monday, 16 Feb 2009, 7:28 PM EST
Published : Monday, 16 Feb 2009, 7:28 PM EST
Tricia Cruz
Posted by: Emily Lenihan
NEWSTEAD, N.Y. (WIVB) - Sunday night on News 4, you saw George Richert interview an emotional firefighter who was one of the first on the scene of the crash.
Now, he's been suspended.
Wayne Michalak may have violated one or more of the bylaws in the Newstead Fire Department's code of conduct.
He tells News 4 he was told firefighters cannot have contact with the media without first notifying the fire chief.
It was just Monday that Michalak showed us pictures of the rescue effort Thursday night and the recovery effort the next day.
He says the scene from the deadly plane crash has caused him to have nightmares and to seek grief counseling.
The fire chief tells me there is a chance Michalak can be reinstated once the investigation is finished.
However, Michalak has instead chosen to resign.
I don't know all the ins and outs of how this all transpired, so I'm not going to comment on this save for one as I don't know all sides of the story....but.....
Shouldn't this be about the victims, survivors, and determining the cause of the crash right now?
Suspended for violating code of
conduct
Updated: Monday, 16 Feb 2009, 7:28 PM EST
Published : Monday, 16 Feb 2009, 7:28 PM EST
Tricia Cruz
Posted by: Emily Lenihan
NEWSTEAD, N.Y. (WIVB) - Sunday night on News 4, you saw George Richert interview an emotional firefighter who was one of the first on the scene of the crash.
Now, he's been suspended.
Wayne Michalak may have violated one or more of the bylaws in the Newstead Fire Department's code of conduct.
He tells News 4 he was told firefighters cannot have contact with the media without first notifying the fire chief.
It was just Monday that Michalak showed us pictures of the rescue effort Thursday night and the recovery effort the next day.
He says the scene from the deadly plane crash has caused him to have nightmares and to seek grief counseling.
The fire chief tells me there is a chance Michalak can be reinstated once the investigation is finished.
However, Michalak has instead chosen to resign.
I don't know all the ins and outs of how this all transpired, so I'm not going to comment on this save for one as I don't know all sides of the story....but.....
Shouldn't this be about the victims, survivors, and determining the cause of the crash right now?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary Ellen Shea on
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and you spelled it wrong.
5 demerits; that will come out of your accumulated FFN points. Saaaaayyyyy....now THERE'S an idea.....
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Permalink Reply by Captain Kevin C. Ross on
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I also do not know all of the details, but when is it ok for any fire/ police/ ems /govnment official to take pictures of an incident and release them to the media, first of all are we not there to provide ems, suppress the fire, remove hazards, and protect the public. I don't know about anyone else, but when I am at a scene doing these operations I have not found time to be taking pictures, nor do I want to take pictures. As far as the firefighter being upset & needing assistance the only call he should have made was to his chief to arrange for CISD, if it was not already in progress, and if so and it was not enough his chief could have arranged for additional help! I have never known that talking to the media and/or providing illegal picture to help anyone feel better about themselves & what they have experienced. Captain Kevin C. Ross (Note: these are my personal opinions and do not represent my fire departments or officers opinions.)
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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Shouldn't this be about the victims, survivors, and determining the cause of the crash right now?
Certainly it should be; but the original story is growing old and the media needs to find some fresh meat to feed on. You know, "shit that sells" brought to you by Drama Kings and Queens disguised as reporters.
Having a solid rule in place regarding media contact for any reason is a must for any fire department. Years ago our rule was tested and enforced because one of our "loose cannons" gave a series of pictures to the press without authorization. He lived to see another day, but he couldn't sit down for a while.
A good lesson to be drawn from this "issue" - whether legitimate or not - would be that on all large scale incidents such as this, the cameras (cell phones included) are to be left at home, at the station, or in the car. Absolutely no pictures of any type to be taken without permission of command, which in the case of a plane accident would NOT be the fire chief alone.
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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If the scene is still under the control of NTSB, then you would think that there might be federal laws at play.
As far as the "emotional" first responder; how did the media get close enough to him in the first place?
It sounds to me like there is very lax scene security here.
And whomever took pictures and released them to the media would no longer be on MY fire department.
Guaranteed.
TCSS.
Art
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Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on
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You're right Joe about some reporters being Drama Kings/Queens. Same goes for some FFs like possibly in this case. We, my VFD, remain silent and point the Media towards the Chief. TCSS
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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This is why we use the ICS system...
The incident commander or in this case the Fire Chief has a command staff that handles information, safety and liaison duties. All questions, are directed to the individual designated as the public information officer. This is a common practice for most fire departments, so where was this departments PIO? Do they have one? It's not realistic to have a Fire Chief that does everything... I believe the right word here is delegation...
Now with this employee not following a chain of command, breaking department policy rules and such, the concept of loose cannon may be applicable here. Specially when photos are shared without permission... Another key word here is HIPPA...
When the dust settles on this one, hopefully cooler minds will emerge, the firefighter in question will have a chance to make amends and be able to once again serve his community. I would think that a lot of this would be the horrific chain of events that led to so many fatalities and mental trauma for those who responded. Lets hope and pray that common sense and compassion play a role here.
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keep it up Junior-- and you and me are gonna have a chat.....
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In that incident that I told you about when I was a kid...identical situation....complete neighborhood lockdown until the debris field had been cleared...but that didn't stop the rubberneckers etc. from stampeding through the neighborhood in droves, cameras in hand--plus the media--
It was a circus for months afterward. Some neighbors up and moved out of the area. You couldn't park in your own driveway or walk home from school without getting accosted by either a "gore junkie" or a media whore latching on...
It was awful. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
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Hahaha- Media Whore, who's their Pimp? Their editor? TCSS
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Permalink Reply by Brian Koch on
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the ff in question was a mutual aid firefighter who contacted the media to show his pictures. he is lucky that charges havent been pressed (yet) and he should of been doing his job, not taking pictures. 1 idiot can ruin what otherwise was a professional operation. would you want him on a hoseline with you only to run off and take pictures?
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Permalink Reply by LadyChaplain on
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This was hardly a "heat of the moment" issue. The interview took place at his home, days after the crash. If it was just a quick interview at the scene where there was a ton of adreneline, and people with their heads in the wrong places... maybe.
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