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Okla. firefighters demoted after engines collide

The driver and senior firefighter were both demoted one rank after their pumper ran a red light and crashed into another

Tulsa World

TULSA, Okla. — Two Tulsa firefighters received demotions because of a September collision between two firetrucks, a Tulsa Fire Department spokesman said Thursday.

On Sept. 25, Engine 3 and Engine 15 collided at Seventh Street and Elgin Avenue while on their way to a building fire, Capt. Jose Ariza said.

No one was injured in the collision, but the two trucks remain out of service, Ariza said.

An accident review board found that Engine 3 ran a red light as it was heading west on Seventh Street and was at fault in the collision, Ariza said.

Engine 3 driver Dan Pepper was demoted to the rank of firefighter from fire equipment operator as a result, Ariza said.

The ranking firefighter on Engine 3, Rodney Mullinax, was demoted from captain to fire equipment operator.

Both demotions were a single-rank demotion, which dropped both men one pay grade, Ariza said. Additionally, three other firefighters on Engine 3 were suspended for one shift without pay for not wearing seat belts, he said.

No estimate was available for the amount of damage to the firetrucks, Ariza said.

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