Oct 10, 2007 11:03 pm US/Eastern
Menino Appoints Team To Review BFD Policies
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Dr. Sheila Chapman, Craig Coy (center) and James Shannon make up the three-person panel.
CBS
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Boston Mayor Tom Menino (file)
CBS
Boston Mayor Tom Menino has commissioned a panel to review the policies and procedures of the Boston Fire Department.
The news comes less than one week after reports surfaced that the two firefighters killed in a West Roxbury restaurant fire over the summer were impaired when they responded.
"I also think the time has come for this to happen. There's been a lot of conversation about this in the past but on these issues they have to come to the point where enough's enough," Menino said. " And that's where we are, I think. We had two officers who lost their lives, and other issues arose, and the families got hurt by this issue."
James Shannon, president of the National Fire Protection Association, Dr. Sheila Chapman of the Boston University Medical Center and Craig Coy, a former chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority, have been selected for the three-member panel.
Menino made the announcement Wednesday afternoon. "Two months ago, two of Boston's finest died while doing their job keeping our city safe. As the city and their families continue to mourn their loss, we must reassure the public that our Fire Department is strong and fully capable of protecting our residents and themselves," Mayor Menino said. "This panel is made up of highly regarded individuals who will work to develop targeted recommendations relating to fire department procedure. If there are issues, we must fix them now."
Last week, autopsy results of firemen Paul Cahill and Warren Payne revealed both men had intoxicants in their systems the night they responded to the Tai Ho Mandarin and Cantonese restaurant fire in West Roxbury back in August. According to the reports, Cahill had a .27 blood-alcohol level at the time of the fire and Payne had traces of cocaine in his system.
According to the Boston Globe, Shannon, Chapman and Coy will review the fire department's drug and alcohol testing policy. Currently Boston firefighters are tested for drugs and alcohol as recruits, but there is no routine drug or alcohol testing once they are hired. Testing is used only if there is an issue that needs to be resolved.
Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser said if the panel's recommendations help just one firefighter, it will have been worth the effort.
"I think people understand this is a problem now and there's a problem within the department, and I think there's universal support for what we're trying to do," he said.
The review is expected to be complete by December.
Eight years ago, random drug testing was one of 66 recommendations in a report given to Menino, calling for changes to the Boston Police Department. However, the issue disappeared when firefighters got a contract after working without one for a couple years and endorsed Menino while he was up for re-election during that time.
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