By Lucas Sullivan
The Columbus Dispatch
Columbus, Ohio — Two Columbus fire lieutenants and a captain have been suspended for their roles in an alcohol-fueled party dubbed “kegs and eggs” at a shuttered Downtown fire station last summer. Another disciplinary incident in the next year could result in demotion.
Dozens of firefighters, including some in uniform, showed up at Fire Station 2 at 150 E. Fulton St. last summer as a sendoff to the station and a firefighter who was struggling with retirement, according to documents and statements from firefighters.
The old structure was demolished recently so a replacement station can be built on the site; it is expected to open in the next two years.
Capt. Lawrence Francisco and Lt. John Torrie have been suspended for 48 hours for consuming alcohol at the party, according to documents provided by the city.
Lt. Ray Wine was suspended for 72 hours.
Safety Director George Speaks handed down the suspensions Thursday; they were recommended by Fire Chief Kevin O’Connor. Speaks also threatened the supervisors with immediate demotions if they have another incident in the next year.
The three supervisors agreed not to fight the punishments.
Speaks did not make a statement in upholding the suspensions. “The discipline speaks for itself,” he said.
Speaks said recently that the reasons for the party were “good” because firefighters wanted to help a firefighter struggling with retirement after a 40-year career. But he said supervisors went awry when they provided alcohol on city property.
Wine, 59, who has been with the department 32 years, received a more severe suspension because he provided alcohol for the event, O’Connor said
Francisco, 54, a 29-year employee, was removed as a captain at Station 2 almost as soon as rumors of the incident emerged. O’Connor said Francisco should not return to his unit until the new Station 2 is built.
“The lack of supervisory oversight by Capt. Francisco allowed an event to occur … that brought discredit to the Columbus Division of Fire,” O’Connor wrote in his recommendation for discipline. “Capt. Francisco failed to lead and provided a negative example of behavior.”
Torrie, 56, who has been with the department 30 years, received a similar condemnation.
All three men have been ordered to undergo additional leadership training.
The investigation also resulted in letters of reprimand for 18 other firefighters who admitted to being at the party.
Dave Montgomery, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 67, said the punishments were inappropriate because firefighters were not on duty during the party.
Despite his stance, Montgomery signed off on the discipline this week.
“These three firefighters want to put this matter behind them and get back to serving the citizens of Columbus,” he said.
At one time, Station 2 was the city’s busiest fire station, averaging 47 to 50 emergency runs a day. It covered much of Downtown, mainly south of Broad Street.
The city announced more than three years ago that it was going to demolish the station and build another on the site. Last year, the Columbus City Council approved $5 million to replace the building.
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