Copyright 2005 Chattanooga Publishing Company
By CLIFF HIGHTOWER
Staff Writer
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
A Rhea County volunteer firefighter cited Sunday after he drove a firetruck that struck a minivan and killed a small child will be allowed to remain on staff, Rhea County’s fire chief said Tuesday.
“We’re not going to suspend anyone at this point,” Chief Billy Cranfield said. “Not until the Tennessee Highway Patrol gets done with their investigation.”
Firefighter Charles Roberts, 31, of Dayton, was charged with failure to yield the right of way. An investigation showed he was driving a fire engine returning from a call when it struck a 2005 Chevrolet Uplander minivan at the intersection of state Highway 30, White Oak Road and New Union Road.
Eleven-month-old Devon Pilcher was killed in the crash.
On Tuesday, Ricky Pilcher, Devon’s father, said he would not comment on Mr. Roberts’ remaining as a volunteer with the Frazier Volunteer Fire Department.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said the report of the crash has been forwarded to the district attorney’s office to review.
This summer, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill requiring anyone who drives emergency vehicles to undergo two hours of classroom training each year on the risks associated with high-speed driving.
The “Vanessa Free” bill was passed after the University of Tennessee freshman was killed when the car she was riding in was struck by a Chattanooga police car.
Melissa McDonald, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol, said the training is slated to begin in the summer of 2006.
Chris Bainbridge, director of administration services for the State Fire Marshal’s Office, said local fire departments and governments now set standards for training.
“There is no state mandates for their training besides what was passed this last legislative session,” Mr. Bainbridge said.
He said the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy provides a 90-hour class that leads to driver certification. He said an alternate eight- to 16-hour course is available for fire departments that don’t require certification.
BY THE NUMBERS
Fatalities nationally in crashes involving firetrucks in 2004
* 5: Firetruck driver or passenger
* 15: Occupant of other vehicle
* 1: Pedestrian
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration