DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. --
Another DeKalb County firefighter wants his job back. William Jeff Greene was among a group of firefighters who were fired after 74-year-old Ann Bartlett died in a house fire in January. When firefighters didn't see smoke, crews never walked up to the home to see if the woman was OK. Greene was the first person who should have established command at the home.
“I want my name and my reputation to reveal that I was doing my job,” said Greene.
Greene testified in a hearing before county officials about the night he responded to a call on Houghton Court in Dunwoody.
“I’m not the person that was portrayed early on in this. I am a firefighter that took my commitment to DeKalb County and my oath serious,” said Greene.
Greene and his engine were the first to respond to the 911 call. Hours after firefighters left, neighbors saw Bartlett's house engulfed in flames. She did not survive. DeKalb County acting Fire Chief Eddie O’Brien believes Greene's termination should stand.
“It brought a lot of disgrace and discredit upon DeKalb Fire Rescue and the firefighting profession,” said O’Brien.
Greene testified he could not locate the house and was never told Bartlett made the 911 call herself.
“I asked if there was any further information and was advised there was no further,” said Greene.
He said if he had more information, the outcome may have been different.
“I feel like with what I was working with, the information I was provided or not provided and the orders I was given, that I was doing my job,” said Greene.
Greene had completed training less than a month before the fatal fire. He will find out if he'll get his job back in two to three weeks.
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