Atlanta Captain Suspended for Rescue Attempt Resigning
Source Firehouse.com News
An Atlanta firefighter who was suspended for not following procedures after trying to rescue a 95-year-old woman from a burning house says he is leaving the department at the end of the month.
Capt. Daniel Dwyer announced his resignation on an episode of the Gettin Salty Experience podcast.
"Yes, I'm retiring from Atlanta officially on May the 28th, I'm off the books, and I have accepted a position with a department north of Atlanta," he told the podcast.
Dwyer added that he will not retain his captain's rank at the new department.
In February, Atlanta fire officials put Dwyer on unpaid suspension for four days following a "notice of final adverse action" complaint put together by the department. The complaint stemmed from a June 27 call at a residence in west Atlanta.
Upon arriving at the scene, crews found Sally Skrine still inside the house, but burglar bars made it difficult for firefighters to enter the residence.
Dwyer was able to get inside the house and pull out Skrine. The woman, however, died of her injuries.
According to the complaint, Dwyer's actions were against department policy.
"You entered the structure without your crew members which is in immediate conflict with no freelancing, accountability and maintaining crew integrity," the report states, according to WXIA-TV.
In the podcast, Dwyer defended his actions. He said he was told by the battalion chief in charge to enter the burning house to conduct a search. He also had entered after two other firefighters had gone in with a hose.
Once inside, he came across the victim on the floor and then pulled her out of the house.
In a statement to WXIA, Fire Chief Randall B. Slaughter would not specifically comment on Dwyer's suspension. He did, however, outline the reasoning behind such a suspension.
"The disciplinary process for the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department is designed to encourage safety and order," he stated. "It also seeks to establish clear expectations in both emergency and non-emergency situations."
Dwyer said he resigned because he had been frustrated for 15-plus years with the department's resistance to making changes
"They have everything they need to be a very successful place, and it's just like, for whatever reason, things get blocked. ... I just got to a point in my career where I'm tired being tired," he said.
