By Eden Laikin
Newsday
OCEANSIDE, N.J. — Nine Oceanside firefighters have been found guilty of departmental charges stemming from an alcohol-related incident at a block party, according to fire officials.
Six of the firefighters received 60-day suspensions and three were given 90-day suspensions, fire officials said yesterday.
Anthony Iovino, counsel for the Board of Fire Commissioners, said the board sent a strong message.
“These nine members have been outstanding volunteers,” Iovino said, “who unfortunately appear to have gotten caught up in making momentary bad decisions. “
Fire officials would not confirm whether Department Chief Tommy McDermott was among those found guilty and suspended, but they acknowledged that Assistant Chief Daniel Sabatino is acting chief of the department. McDermott could not be reached for comment.
All nine members have been out on suspension since October, after an internal investigation of the incident by Sabatino. A series of hearings were held last month, and on Tuesday a decision was reached by a three-member disciplinary board of veteran firefighters.
The suspensions are retroactive to the date the firefighters were suspended. Time served for six firefighters means they can return to duty next week. For the three others they will be suspended for 30 more days.
The days suspended from active duty will not be credited toward the firefighter’s pensions, the amount of which is based on points accumulated while on active duty.
Christopher Devane, the Mineola attorney representing all the suspended members, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Residents along Oceanside Parkway who attended the August block party reported that at least 12 firefighters from the Salamander Company, who were returning from a parade and competition in Freeport, barreled down the street in a fire truck.
Three male party guests confronted the firefighters, some of whom, residents said, were waving around a first-place trophy and holding beer bottles. A fight broke out and one resident’s hand was broken.
Witnesses said McDermott arrived in his department vehicle and told the firefighters to leave when the fight started.
The Oceanside Fire District has not released the names of those involved or the specific charges, citing department bylaws that give members two weeks to fight the information’s release.
Copyright 2007 Newsday, Inc.