Amid Disciplinary Charges, Columbus, OH, Fire Chief Resigns
Facing disciplinary charges, Columbus Fire Chief Jeffrey Happ has decided to pull the plug on his career.
Happ was accused of neglect of duty related to an internal investigation into a fire engine crash on I-270 in 2023 that left a civilian dead.
While Probationary Firefighter Tyler Conners received a suspended sentence after pleading no contest to vehicluar homicide, an internal review board found there was no fault involved, WSYX reported.
On July 23, 2023, after firefighters were placed in service while responding to call, Conners turned off the rig's lights and crossed two left lanes to take a crossover. A pickup truck hit the engine as it was partially in the travel lane.
Timothy Wiggins, 63, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Happ, who faced a hearing for failing to act as a supervisor and neglect of duty, will leave Jan. 16.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.