A veteran Southlake fire lieutenant has been fired for supervising a hose-down of the Carroll Dragon band and color guard that injured 13 students in August.
In addition, a firefighter was suspended without pay for 120 days and a fire captain was given a one-day suspension without pay for involvement in the Aug. 4 event in the parking lot of Carroll High School, 800 North White Chapel Blvd.
Fire Lt. Jeff Powell, who had been with the Department of Public Safety for 14 years, was fired Wednesday after an investigation.
"In the city of Southlake, our supervisors are held to a higher level of accountability," Public Safety Director Rick Black said.
Firefighter Clif Altom received the 120-day suspension, and fire Capt. Mike Starr was given the one-day suspension. Altom was operating the deck gun that sprayed the students, according to DPS reports. Starr assigned the event.
An internal investigation determined that the three employees violated department safety policies. At times, the water was directed at the students instead of over their heads, and no firefighters were positioned as spotters, according to departmental reports.
"I think it was a very unfortunate incident," said Jan Nelson of Southlake, whose 14-year-old daughter sustained a sprained knee in the incident. "Had my daughter been the one who had a major amount of problems, I would probably feel differently."
One of the most severely injured students was Liz Schmiedel, 16, a member of the color guard. One of her teeth was knocked out, three teeth were loosened and others were chipped and she suffered abrasions to her lips, chin, hip, knees, hand and wrist. The Schmiedel family could not be reached for comment Friday.
Department reports gave this account of the incident:
A band mother contacted the fire department about having a hose-down as a spirit motivator for the 300-member band and color guard.
On the evening of Aug. 4, as practice ended, the band director announced that "wet weather" was on the way and that those who wanted to get wet should empty their pockets. The director said participation was voluntary.
Within minutes, a fire truck pulled up and began spraying the students.
"The investigation showed that the firefighters did not act maliciously; they only had good intentions," Black said. "But the public expects safety officials to use good judgment 100 percent of the time."
The school district also conducted an investigation.
Harry Ingalls, assistant superintendent for operations, said Friday that the district will no longer have activities involving "high-pressure water."
Ingalls would not say whether any Carroll employees were disciplined.
"Even if we did, we couldn't comment on it anyway," he said.
Correction
Southlake firefighter Clif Altom was suspended for 120 hours in connection with a hose-down of the Carroll Dragon band and color guard. The length of his suspension was incorrect Saturday.
