The Boston Herald
By Dave Wedge and O’Ryan Johnson
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BOSTON — The deaths of two West Roxbury firefighters have now blown the city apart instead of pulling it together as the mayor, the fire union, the district attorney and top department brass square off for a nasty political brawl over the probe into the tragedy.
Firefighters Local 718, which is locked in tense contract talks with the city, is fuming that Fire Commissioner Roderick J. Fraser Jr. has rejected an internal department report — prepared by union members — on the deaths of firefighters Paul Cahill and Warren Payne.
“Our confidence in his ability to lead this department is shaken,’' union president Ed Kelly said. “I don’t think he’s capable of leading firefighters.’'
The report found no evidence that alcohol or drugs played a role in the firefighters’ deaths. But Fraser called the report incomplete because investigators didn’t consider the pair’s autopsy reports, which sources briefed on the results say show Cahill was legally drunk and Payne had cocaine in his system.
One high-ranking fire official said even the department’s top brass have abandoned Fraser, a claim bolstered by the commissioner’s appearance at a press conference yesterday without any uniformed officers by his side.
“There’s no harmony up there. They’ve turned their backs on him,’' the source said.
Despite the division, Menino stood by Fraser.
“We have full confidence in Commissioner Fraser,’' Menino spokeswoman Dot Joyce said. “He’s led all his life and he’s doing a great job. His (lack of) confidence in this report shows his dedication and real desire to protect the firefighters under his command.’'
A former Navy officer, Fraser has been criticized since he was appointed because he’s never been a rank-and-file firefighter, unlike past commissioners. Kelly said no decision has been reached on whether the union will take a formal “no confidence’’ vote on Fraser.
The report has reignited tensions as contract talks remain stalled and Menino pushes for mandatory drug testing in the wake of the blaze. Union officials said drug testing is on the table, but sources close to the negotiations said the union hasn’t been offered anything in return for expanded screening. The union has asked for increases in its fitness and wellness program in exchange for drug testing but the city has balked, the sources said.
Adding to the tension is finger-pointing between the union and the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office, which have given differing accounts as to why the autopsy reports weren’t reviewed as part of the report.
Meanwhile, all involved are bracing for multimillion dollar lawsuits expected to be aimed at the city for allowing the autopsy results to be leaked. The families of Cahill and Payne have each retained lawyers.
Copyright 2008 Boston Herald Inc.