Three Detroit Chiefs Resign Following Firefighter Injury

Nov. 16, 2016
Two Detroit battalion chiefs and a senior chief resigned after an incident involving a burned firefighter.

Three chiefs resigned and a fire officer was suspended after a Detroit firefighter was injured.

Fire officials said Lt. David Webster swapped his shift with a younger firefighter the night a firefighter suffered serious burns at a mutual aid fire in Highland Park.

Senior fire officials did not learn of the firefighter's injuries for 12 hours, according to Fox2Detroit.com

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Engine 40 responded to Oct. 13 fire with the younger member working as the company officer.

A firefighter fell through the floor and sustained third degree burns, the television station reported.

The firefighter waited several hours at a Detroit hospital for treatment after being transported by a private ambulance.

Fire officials told the television station that chief officer's never checked on the condition of the injured firefighter.

Battalion Chiefs Fred Hartmann and Anthony Ellis and Senior Chief Jack Wiley resigned.

A fire lieutenant will face a year-long probation after completing a 29-day suspension. 

Detroit fire officials are also looking into shift swaps among members.

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