Columbus, OH, Fire Chief Faces Termination for Handling of Fatal Engine Crash Probe
Columbus Fire Chief Jeff Happ has been charged with two disciplinary offenses for the way he handled a probe following a fatal fire truck crash.
Happ, charged with neglect of duty and failing to act as a supervisor, could be fired, suspended or demoted. A hearing is set for Dec. 16, according to nbc4i.
The chief came under fire when he decided not to take any action against Probationary Firefighter Tyler Conners, who was behind the wheel of an engine involved in a fatal crash. An internal review panel also found there was no fault associated.
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 pickoup truck hit the engine as it was partially in the travel lane.
Timothy Wiggins, 63, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Conners received a suspended sentence after pleading no contest to vehicluar homicide.
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Susan Nicol
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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.