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. Cerie Smith, PT, DPT, CSCS, Director of Rehabilitation and Wellness, Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department; Editor: Mike Wieder, Associate Director, FPP, Executive Director, IFSTA. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). interacts online and researches product purchases California Nearly 1 in 4 Compton firefighters is working without an EMT permit Engines from the Compton Fire Department on display during an unveiling in 2006. The equipment, valued at more than $1 million, was bought by the city during a failed attempt to revive its Police Department, which had been disbanded in favor of a policing contract with theLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department. An obituary later 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. 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. Melanson was an employee of the Compton Fire Department for over 15 years. 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. Are you a Firefighter at The Compton Fire Department was established in 1901, with a small force of volunteer firefighters. 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. 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He was featured on the BET reality series First In.. 2.6 (11-16-016) Fire Chief, Each 9-1-1 Provider Agency; CEO, Each Private Provider Agency: California Occupation Safety and Health Standards related to workplace violence prevention in health care. 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. This website uses Google Analyticsto collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. 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. ONLINE PAYMENTS Republic Water Account Access. / KCAL News. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Through the combined efforts of Compton Fire Department and Compton Unified School District (ROP), the first Compton Fire Academy applied for and received Copyright 2023 FIREFIGHTING TRAINING AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BUREAU DISPATCH This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. 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. Lexipol. Chief Anthony C. Marrone. 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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. Ford Aerostar van. "We have identified where the breakdown was in terms of the training and the continuing [education] and so the county and Department of Public Health is working with us," he said, adding, "Since we've taken them off, there hasn't been any type of calls where we would have used them within the last week or so.". Melanson is expected to be sentenced May 22. Prior to being placed on leave, Thompson maintained that losing defibrillators from most fire vehicles did not put the public at greater risk. www.firehouse.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. 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. The cause of the fire remained under investigation, a Compton Fire Department battalion chief told City News. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The Compton Fire Chief requested the LASDs Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau to assist in looking into the case on January 4, 2012. The defendant allegedly set the fire to conceal the theft of the radio equipment. 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. According to authorities, a fire broke out at Compton's Fire Station No. Smith, 65, served as Comptons fire chief for four years, leaving the office in 2007, he said. who was a member of the Compton Fire Department for over 15 years, is . Theres much more work that needs to be done.. Compton Fire Department 1 Address: 201 S. Acacia Ave. Compton CA 90220 Website: http://www.comptoncity.org Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:00am to 6:00pm. 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. He pleaded no contest in April to charges of felony arson of property and embezzlement by a public official. The building was slightly damaged, and many of the 200-plus radios were destroyed. Welsh is originally from Swisher, Iowa. Former Compton Fire Department battalion chief Marcel Melanson, left, appears at his sentencing with his lawyer, George Bird. #1 Fire Hall, 1725 Broadway Street Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2M9. Village of Evansville Fire Department- $25,837.62. He also conceded the department needs to be streamlined, with a reduction in the overall number of employees. All rights reserved. Your subscription has been confirmed. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Compton fire officials were unable to produce paperwork showing city firefighters had up-to-date training, and the devices were removed from non-paramedic vehicles Friday. Updated: 2:07 PM CST March 3, 2023. Melanson set up the fire to look accidental, said Patrick Wills, an arson investigator with the Long Beach Fire Department. I can do this in my sleep.. FireRescue1 is revolutionizing the way the fire service community By clicking I Accept or using our site, you are consenting to the use of cookies unless you disable them. LOS ANGELES The county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Anthony C. Marrone as the next county fire chief Feb. 28, but board members made clear they wanted to see improvements in the numbers of women and people of color in the agency's ranks. We need to fix it, he said. Alicia Banks is a former Metpro trainee at the Los Angeles Times. We will get in touch with you shortly. Rick Roman emphasizes that paramedics carry advanced equipment that can deliver different voltage on cardiac-arrest patients. When that plan was scrapped, the city hoped to recoup some of its investment by selling the radios. This website uses cookies to provide you with the best browsing experience. Copyright 2023 Marrone will earn $441,792 a year as county fire chief. The arrest stems from what investigators say was a suspicious fire that broke out at Compton Fire Department headquarters on Acacia Avenue on December 11, 2011. Find out more or adjust your settings. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. As you stay cozy and warm this winter season, be fire smart! He was terminated earlier this year. Former Fire Chief Rico Smith will take over day-to-day management of the department and serve as interim chief, Ford said. 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. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Investigators from the Long Beach and Montebello fire departments, including the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, determined the fire was caused by arson. Melanson had served with the fire department for 17 years. Essential Cookies should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. 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. Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away as possible from your house. The heavily tattooed Compton Fire Department deputy chief was the star of his own reality series on BET called "First In . Provide protection of life and property and the environment twenty-four hours a day, 365. 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. Douglas Compton, Ed.D. His bail was set at $350,000.The 37-year-old Melanson had appeared on the BET reality series "First In.". Home fires occur more in winter than in any other season. 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 official. Marcel Melanson, 38, was accused of stealing valuable city-owned radio equipment, then setting a fire to cover up the theft. 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. 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. Preparing for an emergency is everyone's responsibility. 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 . We do have defibrillators, said Capt. Through a repeat buyer, investigators discovered that Melanson had been selling other Compton-owned radio equipment since 2008, Rose added. www.firehouse.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. 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Compton Junction FD was assisted by Nevada Fire Department, Hume Fire Department, and Deerfield Fire Department. You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. Chief Compton was the Fire Chief in Mesa, Arizona, for 5 years and Assistant Fire Chief in Phoenix where he served for 27 years. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In Case of an Emergency, call 9-1-1. First published on May 16, 2013 / 8:56 PM. Duane Compton Fire Department Title: Fire Chief Phone: 417-732-3801 dcompton@republicmo.com. You've been successfully signed up for the Fire Chief. In November 1989, Fire Fighter Mackey transferred . / KCAL News. 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. Are you the Compton Fire Department 1 Fire Chief? He was later assigned to Fire Station 105 in Compton as his second probationary station. July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day! We will fix everything thats broke. Smith said. Lexipol. As you stay cozy and warm this winter season, be fire smart! Fire Chief Jon Thompson said he was happy that Melanson's plea saved his department from getting involved in a trial. We carry out our business on the ancestral and unceded homelands of thekikm (Kwikwetlem), slilwta (Tsleil-Waututh), xmkym (Musqueam), Swxw7mesh (Squamish), qicy (Katzie), qa:n n (Kwantlen), qiqyt (Qayqayt), and St:l (Sto:lo) Peoples, and extend appreciation for the opportunity to work on this territory. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). 1. Phones: Service/Intake and Administration (310) 605-5670 Visit Website Directions Ford declined to say how long he thought the investigation would take or whether Thompson would return to the job. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Enter https://www.firerescue1.com/ and click OK. Copyright 2023 FireRescue1. He remains in custody in lieu of $250,000.00 bail. Keep anything that can burn at . April 16--A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief pleaded no contest Tuesday to felony charges of arson of property and embezzlement by a public official. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. 649 were here. Salton Community Services District Fire Dept, California State Prison-Los Angeles County Fire Department, Linden-Peters Rural County Fire Protection District, General Dynamics NASSCO - Fire Department. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. He is expected to be sentenced to three years and four months in state prison, a prosecutor said. or a member of the Compton community? Authorities charge that the terminated deputy chief set a fire at department headquarters as part of his theft of thousands of dollars in radios. Board members said they had confidence in Marrones ability to improve the makeup of the agency. Follow these tips to be fire safe this holiday season! The inferno erupted in Compton before. 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 radio equipment. Help protect your furry family. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs . Fire officials are still struggling to restore emergency medical technician licenses that lapsed for 17 of the citys 74 firefighters, including Thompson. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KCRA-TV. The investigation of Melanson started after a fire spread across a racquetball court inside Compton Fire Station No. Return to Staff Directory. Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month. 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. This process is automatic. He will return to serve as interim chief, taking over for Fire Chief Jon Thompson, who was put on administrative leave. Olmsted Fire Department- $26,000. He had faced up to 10 years and eight months in prison, Rose said. Irreversible brain damage can begin after four minutes. COMPTON (CBSLA.com) Compton Fire Department Chief Jon Thompson has been placed on leave pending an investigation into compliance with key lifesaving devices. 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. All rights reserved. . You can help us to keep this page up to date:Help update this Fire Department's Information. 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. Chief of Department Fire Chief: Richard G. Petrin RPetrin@tlcri.com Public Safety Complex 60 Simmons Road Little Compton,RI 02837 Website: littlecomptonfirerescue.com Telephone: (401) 635-2323 Fax: (401) 635-2013 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 9-1-1 This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Former Fire Chief Rico Smith, right, left the force in 2007. Officials say the investigation is continuing. Are you the VINTAGE ASST BATT CHIEF HORSHAM SHIELD PA FIRE DEPT . COMPTON (CBSLA.com) 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 radio equipment. 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. Location and Mailing Address. A huge fire visible across Los Angeles burned material in a commercial yard and parked buses early Friday. Subscribe to our newsletter for local news, giveaways, and updates. All rights reserved. 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. There are 5 Fire Departments in Compton, California, serving a population of 97,847 people in an area of 11 square miles.There is 1 Fire Department per 19,569 people, and 1 Fire Department per 2 square miles.. Atty. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Best coffee city in the world? Cardiac arrests are among the most time-sensitive medical emergencies. Fire Department Title: Fire Chief Phone: 417-732-3801 Return to Staff Directory. Apr 16, 2014. "It's like a family business terminating your brother or something.". Lexipol. "By his plea in criminal court, Marcel took responsibility for his actions, for not only a violation of the law, but for a violation of the trust of the residents of Compton," defense attorney George Bird said in a statement. "I'm not mad at him, more mad at what he did," said Deputy Chief Bryan Batiste, who knew Melanson since his involvement with the Fire Department in high school. . The Los Angeles County Fire Department is responsible for protecting the lives and property of 4 million residents living in 1.25 million housing units in 60 cities, including the City of La Habra in Orange County, and the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. 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If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. 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. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Police didn't respond to requests for information at the time. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. The department provides fire and rescue services for the city of Compton from four fire stations (see the site list for details). The Compton Fire Chief requested the LASD's Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau to assist in looking into the case on January 4, 2012.