ATLANTA --
Four DeKalb County firefighters are under investigation for showing up to a fire station drunk during this week's ice storm, Channel 2 Action News confirmed.
Interim Chief Eddie O'Brien confirmed that two of those firefighters are now on administrative leave without pay.
"I'm most definitely disappointed. I've worked with a lot of these personnel as their direct supervisor years ago, so definitely disappointed. Right now until anything factual comes out, we just have to wait," said O'Brien.
Sources told Channel 2 Action News investigative reporter Jodie Fleischer that a group of firefighters went drinking while off-duty Tuesday night at Twain's Billiards and Tap in Decatur. Several of the firefighters were scheduled to be on duty at 7 o'clock Wednesday morning and chose to sleep at Fire Station 24 on Redan Road instead of going home, to avoid the icy roads. The allegations also include bringing alcohol back to the firehouse.
Fleischer asked O'Brien if he was concerned about the firefighters' judgment, given the ongoing weather emergency.
"Of course the judgment, no matter what time, worries me. We had some personnel possibly making some bad choices," he said.
Sources said Capt. Josh Reed and Fire Apparatus Operator William Corbett are on administrative leave without pay. The chief would not disclose the names of the other two firefighters involved, but said they are all at the rank of captain or lower. O'Brien said fellow firefighters had questions about the group's fitness for duty the next morning and reported them to their chain of command. Sources said two firefighters were taken for alcohol testing at the start of their shift Wednesday morning.
"Right now, we're actively investigating that to see what happened with all the personnel involved," said O'Brien.
Fleischer asked O'Brien about allegations that an assistant chief and deputy chief may have been involved, or known about the firefighters' actions. O'Brien said, "Someone made us aware of that today and we're looking into it."
But O'Brien said the chiefs are not part of the four who are under investigation. O'Brien said he hopes to have the results of the investigation in about a week.
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