An Atlanta firefighter who tried to rescue a 95-year-old woman from a burning house has been suspended for not following department procedures.
Capt. Daniel Dwyer faces a four-day, unpaid suspension following a "notice of final adverse action" complaint put together by the department last week. WXIA-TV reports. His suspension starts this week, and he will be able to return to the job Feb. 19.
The complaint against Dwyer stems from a June 27 call. He was part of the response to a fire that broke out 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.
In a statement to the news outlet, 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 is appealing the suspension, WXIA added.
