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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 Cory on
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If their department has bylaws, sog's, sop's that state you can not talk to the media. And it states the punishment then it has to be followed to many times in these days stuff is just brushed off and then people start to ignore the rules and regulations and when they are called out on the carpet then they say well you didn't take care of this so they can try to get out of trouble. His suspension probably should have stayed in house if all possible, because now the people (not in the fire service) are going to think what a dick of a Chief, but that is probably not the case he was probably just doing his job. DISCLAIMER: But just like you said I don't know all the details so the details could change some of what has been said.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Ellen Shea on
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thanks bag--I have my own thoughts on this, but as I stated earlier, both sides of the scenario have not been adequately represented, so I can't speak to the fairness of the situation.
I wonder if they have a "heat of the moment" loophole? All I can say with any certainty is that when dealing with the media, it's always best to leave it to the white hats.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
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Well, not to be the devils advocate....BUT...Rules are rules....I think maybe after investigation then a decision could/should be made....if it is this Firefighters decision to resign then it is basically a done deal...although I think a 30 day "cooling off" period should be utilized before it is finalized........Don't know the full story nor the scope of comments....but seems like some violations have occurred....Paul
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actually, damnthing....I was on the WIVB website this morning and what is on here is posted in its entirety and properly accredited to the website and the writer. Thought I might sav everyone e a trip to another website, but here's the link:
http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/Emotional_firefighter_suspended_20090216
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as posted above:
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
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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The night of the crash, there was a paramedic who had still photos on EVERY news channel as breaking news. He was even on the phone with a live description of his photos...
In my department, I would be severely disciplined for breaking numerous policies, releasing specific incident information and for also taking photographs of the incident.
All pics taken are property of the city, even if it is with your own personal camera... "on duty means they own everything while on duty."
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Permalink Reply by Don Vuletic on
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WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT, BUT TO ME THER IS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION TO REPLY. WITH HIM LEAVING AND THE CHIEF SAYING THE SUSPENSION MIGHT BE LIFTED IT SHOWS HOW MUCH EMOTION IS IN THIS. ONCE AGAIN, THE MEDIA MAY HAVE HELPED LOSE OF A GOOD FIREFIGHTER, AND MAKE A TRAGIC SITUATION THAT IS STRESSFULL ON ALL EMERGENCY PERSONELL WORSE BY MAKING THIS EVENT MORE STRESSFULL ON THE PERSONEL WITH THIS EVENT. MY THOUGHTS ONLY. STAY SAFE GANG
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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It was my understanding that family members of the victims were very upset with the pictures that were being shown on the news shows.
Art
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understandably so....
As I stated in my original post;
Shouldn't this be about the victims, survivors, and determining the cause of the crash right now?
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My other thought (that I keep forgetting to post because every time I put my fingers on the keyboard, the damned phone rings) is what role/responsiblity does the media play in all of this?
At what point does going after the story within the story mesh with "fair and responsible" reporting? Could this be construed as yellow journalism? Without equal representation (yes, the Chief was paraphrased ever so briefly) then what you're looking at is a slanted report from a "news journalist" possibly seeking to stir up a hornets nest.
Before I'm accused of not being in the news biz and being biased, I graduated with a Major in Communications and a Minor in Journalism, and served as Asst. Editor on a highly respected college newspaper for four years.
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I'm busy now. Can I ignore you some other time?
thhhhhhbbbbbbbpppppppttttttt....
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