compton fire department chief

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Preparing for an emergency is everyone's responsibility. You've been successfully signed up for the Fire Chief. 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The cause of the fire remained under investigation, a Compton Fire Department battalion chief told City News. Ben Welsh is the former editor of the Data and Graphics Department, a team of reporters and computer programmers who collect, organize, analyze and present large amounts of information. I heard you use the word equality, and I want to suggest the focus should be equity, given the historic under-representation, she said. Authorities conducted a joint investigation with arson investigators from the Long Beach Fire Department and Montebello Fire Department. Former Compton Fire Department battalion chief Marcel Melanson, left, appears at his sentencing with his lawyer, George Bird. We, and other small departments across the country, often rely on mutual aid from other fire departments when responding to major emergencies such as building fires, major vehicle crashes, and large grass fires. Find out more or adjust your settings. As battalion chief of the Compton Fire Department, Melanson became a star of First In, a 10-episode reality show about the department that aired last fall on BET. Board members said they had confidence in Marrones ability to improve the makeup of the agency. This process is automatic. Alicia Banks is a former Metpro trainee at the Los Angeles Times. All rights reserved. who was a member of the Compton Fire Department for over 15 years, is . May 17, 2013. Ford declined to say how long he thought the investigation would take or whether Thompson would return to the job. We owe it to the citizens to report out on what is happening inside our Fire Department. she said. He was later assigned to Fire Station 105 in Compton as his second probationary station. Firefighters battle a fire at a commercial yard in Compton, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Randolph: Ellis Grove Volunteer Fire Department- $25,800. Copyright 2014 Los Angeles Times Curbing firefighter arsons is one of the toughest nuts to crack, but here are some steps to get a handle on the problem. Deputy Fire Chief Bryan Batiste says the removal of four defibrillators from the department's trucks and ambulances shouldn't worry residents. Batiste told CBS2/KCAL9 county regulators ordered the removal last week after fire officials couldn't provide documentation showing some firefighters had been properly trained to use them. He had faced up to 10 years and eight months in prison, Rose said. CBS LA. Olmsted Fire Department- $26,000. First published on May 16, 2013 / 8:56 PM. Please enable cookies on your browser and try again. Fire Chief Jon Thompson said he was happy that Melanson's plea saved his department from getting involved in a trial. The resolution of the case came as a surprise to Fire Department employees who appeared at a downtown courthouse prepared to testify against someone they said was like family. All rights reserved. Find out all the information about the Fire Departments in the USA. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, LODD: Buffalo firefighter dies after being trapped in blaze, N.Y. authorities release name of Buffalo firefighter killed in downtown fire, Ala. FD lieutenant fights to keep rank after scheduling incident, Mo. Compton Fire Chief Jon Thompson was placed on leave Tuesday as the city launched an investigation after a series of Times reports on breakdowns in the fire agencys management of emergency medical care. An investigation by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department found that many of the radios were sold to private buyers or on EBay and that Melanson had been selling Compton-owned radio equipment since 2008. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. By clicking I Accept or using our site, you are consenting to the use of cookies unless you disable them. When that plan was scrapped, the city hoped to recoup some of its investment by selling the radios. . COMPTON, Calif. A former deputy chief for the Compton Fire Department has been arrested for allegedly starting a fire at headquarters and stealing thousands of dollars in . He said that effort will begin by working to stabilize the departments budget, which he said needs to be increased to provide a higher level of service for the community. Melanson had served with the fire department for 17 years. The Compton Fire Chief requested the LASD's Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau to assist in looking into the case on January 4, 2012. Meanwhile, Los Angeles County sheriff's investigators discovered that many of the missing radios were sold on EBay or offline to private buyers, Rose said. The investigation of Melanson started after a fire spread across a racquetball court inside Compton Fire Station No. Please enter valid email address to continue. For the latest on this developing story follow @palewire. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). Melanson must pay restitution, but the amount is still being determined, the prosecutor added. Each member of the group has completed a refresher course, but only one has scheduled and passed the final exam to renew an EMT license. Through a repeat buyer, investigators discovered that Melanson had been selling other Compton-owned radio equipment since 2008, Rose added. Fire Chief? 3. . 2009-2022 USA Fire Departments usfiredept.com All Rights reserved. I am glad that we are taking the first step.. Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away as possible from your house. I have a vision for the fire department thats going to be more inclusive, but we really need to start with that foundational budget. Help protect your furry family. Essential Cookies should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. This will increase the pool of men and women committed to equality and opportunity with the required education and relevant certifications to consider for this critical role.. ONLINE PAYMENTS Melanson set up the fire to look accidental, said Patrick Wills, an arson investigator with the Long Beach Fire Department. You can find more information about our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Enter your phone number to be notified if you win. It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. Thompson was placed on administrative leave at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, www.firehouse.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Melanson's case has been submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. Attention then turned to Melanson, who was on duty at the station the night of the fire and the only one with access to the radios. The departments paramedics, a small subset of the agencys employees, continue to carry defibrillators and are dispatched with lower-skilled firefighters on most 911 calls. . Chief Anthony C. Marrone. winter fires! Former Fire Chief Rico Smith will take over day-to-day management of the department and serve as interim chief, Ford said. Copyright 2023 FireRescue1. Marcel Dione Melanson, 38, was ordered to pay $517,477 in restitution for the 2011 fire; he paid $100,000 before being taken into custody. Lexipol. He pleaded no contest in April to charges of felony arson of property and embezzlement by a public official. The defendant allegedly set the fire to conceal the theft of the radio equipment. Melanson was fired from the department before being arrested in May 2013. Patrick Willis, an arson investigator with the Long Beach Fire Department, told the court Melanson sought to make the fire look accidental. Marcel Melanson, 38, was accused of stealing valuable city-owned radio equipment, then setting a fire to cover up the theft. Prosecutors said that on Dec. 11, 2011, Melanson reportedly set fire to radio equipment that then caused extensive damage to the Compton Fire Department's headquarters. Expand search. All rights reserved. The 2018 Fire Rescue Community Report outlines the department's mission, reports out on 2018 stats, and highlights the role of each division. Provide protection of life and property and the environment twenty-four hours a day, 365. / KCAL News. Ex-Compton firefighter pleads not guilty to arson, Battalion chief cost department more than $200,000, Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023, We Found 12 Cute Planters and Flower Pots That Cost Less Than $25, Here's Where to Watch and Stream Marvel's 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Online. His chief was suspicious, and after a five-month investigation Melanson was arrested Thursday.Prosecutors say Melanson's theft and the fire damages totaled more than $200,000. Fire Chief Darcey O'Riordan . Updated: 2:07 PM CST March 3, 2023. All rights reserved. COLONA, Ill. Several area fire departments will be purchasing new gear after benefitting from grants issued by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal . In California, Compton is ranked 909th of 1798 cities in Fire Departments per capita, and 448th of 1798 cities in Fire Departments per square mile. Plug only 1 heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time. An obituary later said . Compton-born Oscar winners Travon Free and Samir Hernandez were in attendance and were recognized for their film "Two Distant Strangers". 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KCRA-TV. July 7, 2015 6:29 PM PT. This website uses Google Analyticsto collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. and suppliers. COMPTON (CBSLA.com) Compton Fire Department Chief Jon Thompson has been placed on leave pending an investigation into compliance with key lifesaving devices. Thompson did not returns calls seeking comment. Chief Compton has been a member of the fire service since 1971, rising through the ranks to become Assistant Fire Chief of Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department and later Fire Chief of Mesa (AZ) Fire . In a letter to the board, the groups called for a 90-day delay in the vote to allow for a more thorough search for the next chief. The radios were purchased by Compton's city government in connection with the planned re-establishment of the Compton Police Department, LASD spokesperson Steve Whitmore said. COMPTON, Calif. (AP) A huge fire visible across Los Angeles burned stacks of pallets in a commercial yard and buses parked in a neighboring lot Friday. This button displays the currently selected search type. A tech lover who constantly finds . The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved Anthony C. Marrone as the next county fire chief, but board members made clear they wanted to see improvements in the numbers of women and people of color in the agency's ranks. Marcel Melanson, 38, was accused of stealing valuable city-owned radio equipment, then setting a fire to cover up the theft. For breaking news in Southern California, follow @AliciaDotBanks. Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays) If requesting records from the City of Port Coquitlam's Fire Hall, please see MVA & Fire Incident Reports. Published: September 2020. He was featured on the BET reality series First In.. Former Fire Chief Rico Smith, right, left the force in 2007. The building was slightly damaged, and many of the 200-plus radios were destroyed. Your request has been confirmed! The city managers move to place Thompson on leave was welcomed by Councilwoman Janna Zurita, who has been a critic of the way city leaders have handled the agencys problems. Enter https://www.firerescue1.com/ and click OK. Mitchell said she wants to continue to make strong strides ahead in making sure the fire department is a representative department that reflects the diversity of L.A. County., Please know that I will continue to collaborate with you and hold you accountable for those goals, she said. In Case of an Emergency, call 9-1-1. Compton Fire Chief Jon Thompson was placed on leave Tuesday as the city launched an investigation after a series of Times reports on breakdowns in the fire agency's . The event also included a special presentation to honor former Compton Fire Chief Monroe Smith for his contributions to the Compton community as the first Black man to head a fire department in California. Address: 201 S. Acacia Ave. Compton CA 90220 Website: http://www.comptoncity.org Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:00am to 6:00pm. 2 talking about this. Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year. Marcel Melanson, 37, was arrested Wednesday without incident at his Torrance home on charges of felony arson and grand theft, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Copyright 2023 Location and Mailing Address. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Compton Fire Department 1 His selection as chief was met with opposition from several organizations, including the Womens Fire League, L.A. County Stentorians and Los Bomberos de LA County, who pointed to systemic failures in the department to bolster diversity within the department and create jobs and advancement opportunities for women and people of color. / KCAL News. Copyright 2023 . The Compton City Council dropped the plan to re-establish its own police department because of the city's financial difficulties. Phone & Fax Phone: 310-605-5670 Fax: 310-632-8414. Cerie Smith, PT, DPT, CSCS, Director of Rehabilitation and Wellness, Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department; Editor: Mike Wieder, Associate Director, FPP, Executive Director, IFSTA. July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day! Officials say that it may take several weeks to train the firefighters or verify their credentials. Marrone will earn $441,792 a year as county fire chief. A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief was sentenced to three years and four months in prison for selling city-owned radio equipment and starting a fire to conceal the theft,. The 2018 Fire Rescue Community Report outlines the department's mission, reports out on 2018 stats, and highlights the role of each division. Thompson will continue to be paid while on leave, he said. . They believe Melanson deliberately set fire to the facility to conceal theft of Motorola radios worth thousands of dollars with the intent of selling them over the internet. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs . We do have defibrillators, said Capt. I fully expect that we make significant gains in that area., Marrone responded, I will be intentional that I will move the needle forward toward more diversity in our fire department. Marcel Melanson, 38, was. Marrone has been serving as interim chief of the department since July 2022. In November 1989, Fire Fighter Mackey transferred . According to authorities, a fire broke out at Compton's Fire Station No. Through the combined efforts of Compton Fire Department and Compton Unified School District (ROP), the first Compton Fire Academy applied for and received The service requires full JavaScript support in order to view this website. $7.50 + $10.11 shipping. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. interacts online and researches product purchases Irreversible brain damage can begin after four minutes. We need to fix it, he said. 649 were here. 100 Newport DrivePort Moody, BC V3H 5C3604-469-4500Email Us, Recreation Complex 300 Ioco Drive604-469-4556Email us, Kyle Centre125 Kyle Street604-469-4561Email us. ONLINE PAYMENTS Republic Water Account Access. The Compton Fire Department was established in 1901, with a small force of volunteer firefighters. A Compton Fire Battalion Chief of training headed the development and implementation of the Fire Technology and Education Programs dating back to the mid-1980. or a member of the Compton community? FireRescue1 is revolutionizing the way the fire service community Home fires occur more in winter than in any other season. Stay safe this holiday season Port Moody! FIREFIGHTING TRAINING AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BUREAU DISPATCH The Compton Fire Chief requested the LASDs Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau to assist in looking into the case on January 4, 2012. Ford acted soon after The Times reported late Monday that county regulators forced Compton fire officials to remove the devices last week after the city was unable to produce documentation showing that firefighters had been properly trained to use the equipment. Opening the process will ensure that diverse applicants from across the nation have the opportunity to apply, according to the letter. . Welsh is originally from Swisher, Iowa. Are you a Firefighter at Compton Fire Department 1 or a member of the Compton community? Village of Evansville Fire Department- $25,837.62. The department provides fire and rescue services for the city of Compton from four fire stations (see the site list for details). As a result of the plea, authorities dropped the more severe charge of arson of a structure and a second embezzlement count. Investigators from the Long Beach and Montebello fire departments, as well as the U.S.Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, concluded the blaze was arson. So that you can continue to enjoy HEYSOCAL's in-depth reporting, we ask that you please turn off your ad blocker and come on in, free of charge. Business Hours. CITY CAREERS Browse & Apply for Jobs . Cardiac arrests are among the most time-sensitive medical emergencies. Fire officials are still struggling to restore emergency medical technician licenses that lapsed for 17 of the citys 74 firefighters, including Thompson. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience. interacts online and researches product purchases Some law enforcement agencies have also begun to carry the devices. The groups and others also blasted the Board of Supervisors, saying it failed to hold a thorough, transparent and fair search for a new fire chief. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. COMPTON, Calif. A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief pleaded no contest Tuesday to felony charges of arson of property and embezzlement by a public . You can help us to keep this page up to date:Help update this Fire Department's Information. Its something thats going to be cleaned up very soon, Gomez said. firefighter pleads guilty to 3 counts of manslaughter, is sentenced to probation, 3 demoted FDNY chiefs sue to get positions back after dramatic shakeup, Open the tools menu in your browser. Investigators turned their attention to Melanson, who was on duty when the fire broke out and said to be the only employee with access to the radios. All Rights Reserved. Deputy Fire Chief Bryan Batiste says the removal of four defibrillators from their trucks and ambulances shouldn't worry residents. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Administration Office 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Rick Roman emphasizes that paramedics carry advanced equipment that can deliver different voltage on cardiac-arrest patients. Fire Department Title: Fire Chief Phone: 417-732-3801 Return to Staff Directory. The allegations shook the Compton Fire Department, where Melanson had been well-liked.