Deputy Fire Chief Bryan Batiste says the removal of four defibrillators from their trucks and ambulances shouldn't worry residents. / KCAL News. Fire Chief Jon Thompson said he was happy that Melanson's plea saved his department from getting involved in a trial. Apr 16, 2014. All Rights Reserved. Chief Anthony C. Marrone. This website uses Google Analyticsto collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. Copyright 2023 The flames burned through the roof of the building, which was heavily damaged. You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. We do have defibrillators, said Capt. Administration Office 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Compton City Council dropped the plan to re-establish its own police department because of the city's financial difficulties. 100 Newport DrivePort Moody, BC V3H 5C3604-469-4500Email Us, Recreation Complex 300 Ioco Drive604-469-4556Email us, Kyle Centre125 Kyle Street604-469-4561Email us. Prior to being placed on leave, Thompson maintained that losing defibrillators from most fire vehicles did not put the public at greater risk. Melanson must pay restitution, but the amount is still being determined, the prosecutor added. interacts online and researches product purchases The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. Find out all the information about the Fire Departments in the USA. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. Melanson was fired from the department before being arrested in May 2013. Los Angeles Times. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. Marcel Melanson, 37, was arrested Wednesday without incident at his Torrance home on charges of felony arson and grand theft, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Thompson was placed on administrative leave at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. Return to Staff Directory. Melanson is expected to be sentenced May 22. Ben Welsh is the former editor of the Data and Graphics Department, a team of reporters and computer programmers who collect, organize, analyze and present large amounts of information. Smith, 65, served as Comptons fire chief for four years, leaving the office in 2007, he said. The allegations shook the Compton Fire Department, where Melanson had been well-liked. Supervisor Holly Mitchell told Marrone the agency has had a historic under-representation of people of color and women.. He will return to serve as interim chief, taking over for Fire Chief Jon Thompson, who was put on administrative leave. Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away as possible from your house. firefighter pleads guilty to 3 counts of manslaughter, is sentenced to probation, 3 demoted FDNY chiefs sue to get positions back after dramatic shakeup, Open the tools menu in your browser. who was a member of the Compton Fire Department for over 15 years, is . City Manager Johnny Ford said officials would examine how most city firetrucks and ambulances were stripped of defibrillators, a crucial lifesaving device that rescuers use to deliver a shock to try to restart the heart of cardiac arrest victims. Lexipol. All rights reserved. The equipment, valued at more than $1 million, was bought by the city during a failed attempt to revive its Police Department, which had been disbanded in favor of a policing contract with theLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KCRA-TV. I can do this in my sleep.. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The 2018 Fire Rescue Community Report outlines the department's mission, reports out on 2018 stats, and highlights the role of each division. He said that effort will begin by working to stabilize the departments budget, which he said needs to be increased to provide a higher level of service for the community. Follow these tips to be fire safe this holiday season! The arrest stems from what investigators say was a suspicious fire that broke out at Compton Fire Department headquarters on Acacia Avenue on December 11, 2011. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. . Each member of the group has completed a refresher course, but only one has scheduled and passed the final exam to renew an EMT license. FireRescue1 is revolutionizing the way the fire service community Keep anything that can burn at . ONLINE PAYMENTS You've been added to our list and will hear from us soon. A former battalion chief for the Compton Fire Department who once appeared on a reality television show has been charged with setting fire to his own department's headquarters in . We carry out our business on the ancestral and unceded homelands of thekikm (Kwikwetlem), slilwta (Tsleil-Waututh), xmkym (Musqueam), Swxw7mesh (Squamish), qicy (Katzie), qa:n n (Kwantlen), qiqyt (Qayqayt), and St:l (Sto:lo) Peoples, and extend appreciation for the opportunity to work on this territory. COMPTON, Calif. A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief pleaded no contest Tuesday to felony charges of arson of property and embezzlement by a public official. You've been successfully signed up for the Fire Chief. A former battalion chief for the Compton Fire Department who once appeared on a reality television show has been charged with setting fire to his own department's headquarters in an embezzlement scheme.Marcel Melanson pleaded not guilty Friday to arson and embezzlement.Los Angeles County Sheriff's investigators say the 15-year department veteran stole radios that were intended to be part of a communications upgrade, then set the headquarters on fire in December in an attempt to conceal the theft. Home fires occur more in winter than in any other season. Help protect your furry family. Former Fire Chief Rico Smith will take over day-to-day management of the department and serve as interim chief, Ford said. The event also included a special presentation to honor former Compton Fire Chief Monroe Smith for his contributions to the Compton community as the first Black man to head a fire department in California. 1. I am glad that we are taking the first step.. After the damaged radios were accounted for and it was noticed that some were missing, an investigation was opened, Deputy Dist. For breaking news in Southern California, follow @AliciaDotBanks. Are you a Firefighter at Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays) If requesting records from the City of Port Coquitlam's Fire Hall, please see MVA & Fire Incident Reports. A Compton Fire Battalion Chief of training headed the development and implementation of the Fire Technology and Education Programs dating back to the mid-1980. Thanks! The Compton Fire Department was established in 1901, with a small force of volunteer firefighters. Welsh has contributed to projects that have won the Pulitzer Prize, the Library of Congress Innovation Award, a Knight News Challenge grant and numerous other prizes for investigative reporting, digital design and online journalism. Marcel Melanson, 38, was accused of stealing valuable city-owned radio equipment, then setting a fire to cover up the theft. . Location and Mailing Address. An obituary later said . By clicking I Accept or using our site, you are consenting to the use of cookies unless you disable them. The building was slightly damaged, and many of the 200-plus radios were destroyed. A tech lover who constantly finds . Theres much more work that needs to be done.. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved Anthony C. Marrone as the next county fire chief, but board members made clear they wanted to see improvements in the numbers of women and people of color in the agency's ranks. FIREFIGHTING TRAINING AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BUREAU DISPATCH I fully expect that we make significant gains in that area., Marrone responded, I will be intentional that I will move the needle forward toward more diversity in our fire department. firefighter pleads guilty to 3 counts of manslaughter, is sentenced to probation, 3 demoted FDNY chiefs sue to get positions back after dramatic shakeup, Former Compton Fire Department deputy chief arrested for arson, Open the tools menu in your browser. He has been with the department for 36 years, previously serving as acting chief deputy over business operations. Ford Aerostar van. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). Prior to joining the Fire Department, Chief Barrera devoted 16 years climbing the ranks in administrative services at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services and Auditor-Controller. Marcel Melanson, 38, was. Copyright 2023 We do have paramedic services. You can find more information about our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Enter your phone number to be notified if you win. You can help us to keep this page up to date:Help update this Fire Department's Information. The resolution of the case came as a surprise to Fire Department employees who appeared at a downtown courthouse prepared to testify against someone they said was like family. COMPTON, Calif. A former deputy chief for the Compton Fire Department has been arrested for allegedly starting a fire at headquarters and stealing thousands of dollars in radio equipment. Fire Capt. Provide protection of life and property and the environment twenty-four hours a day, 365. Its something thats going to be cleaned up very soon, Gomez said. The inferno erupted in Compton before. Compton Fire Department Chief Jon Thompson has been . "He deeply regrets that his actions have hurt his family, his friends, and those who he worked with, his fellow firefighters.". "I'm not mad at him, more mad at what he did," said Deputy Chief Bryan Batiste, who knew Melanson since his involvement with the Fire Department in high school. CITY CAREERS Browse & Apply for Jobs . "By his plea in criminal court, Marcel took responsibility for his actions, for not only a violation of the law, but for a violation of the trust of the residents of Compton," defense attorney George Bird said in a statement. Please enable Essential Cookies first so that we can save your preferences! We will fix everything thats broke. Smith said. He is also a co-founder of the California Civic Data Coalition, a network of journalists and computer programmers dedicated to opening up public data, and the leader of Pastpages, an open-source effort to better archive digital news. Ex-Compton firefighter pleads not guilty to arson, Battalion chief cost department more than $200,000, Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023, We Found 12 Cute Planters and Flower Pots That Cost Less Than $25, Here's Where to Watch and Stream Marvel's 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Online. Please enable cookies on your browser and try again. 2 talking about this. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. His chief was suspicious, and after a five-month investigation Melanson was arrested Thursday.Prosecutors say Melanson's theft and the fire damages totaled more than $200,000. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Expand search. 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Several area fire departments will be purchasing new gear after benefitting from grants issued by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal . This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. www.firehouse.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. They believe Melanson deliberately set fire to the facility to conceal theft of Motorola radios worth thousands of dollars with the intent of selling them over the internet. 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Marrone has been serving as interim chief of the department since July 2022. I have a vision for the fire department thats going to be more inclusive, but we really need to start with that foundational budget. Investigators from the Long Beach and Montebello fire departments, including the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, determined the fire was caused by arson. Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, LODD: Buffalo firefighter dies after being trapped in blaze, N.Y. authorities release name of Buffalo firefighter killed in downtown fire, Ala. FD lieutenant fights to keep rank after scheduling incident, Mo. Cerie Smith, PT, DPT, CSCS, Director of Rehabilitation and Wellness, Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department; Editor: Mike Wieder, Associate Director, FPP, Executive Director, IFSTA. Duane Compton Fire Department Title: Fire Chief Phone: 417-732-3801 dcompton@republicmo.com. An investigation by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department found that many of the radios were sold to private buyers or on EBay and that Melanson had been selling Compton-owned radio equipment since 2008. Full story: Former Compton Fire Department deputy chief arrested for arson. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for fire service professionals worldwide. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Thank you to Chief Jack Ambrose from the Morris County Sheriff's Office for taking the time to speak with a group of our Criminal Justice Students on February . There are 5 Fire Departments in Compton, California, serving a population of 97,847 people in an area of 11 square miles.There is 1 Fire Department per 19,569 people, and 1 Fire Department per 2 square miles.. The heavily tattooed Compton Fire Department deputy chief was the star of his own reality series on BET called "First In . For the latest on this developing story follow @palewire. Compton fire officials were unable to produce paperwork showing city firefighters had up-to-date training, and the devices were removed from non-paramedic vehicles Friday. Stay safe this holiday season Port Moody! . Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, LODD: Buffalo firefighter dies after being trapped in blaze, N.Y. authorities release name of Buffalo firefighter killed in downtown fire, Ala. FD lieutenant fights to keep rank after scheduling incident, Mo. May 17, 2013. All rights reserved. As you stay cozy and warm this winter season, be fire smart! The arrest stems from what investigators say was a suspicious fire that broke out at Compton Fire Department headquarters on Acacia Avenue on December 11, 2011. Subscribe to our newsletter for local news, giveaways, and updates. Essential Cookies should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. His selection as chief was met with opposition from several organizations, including the Womens Fire League, L.A. County Stentorians and Los Bomberos de LA County, who pointed to systemic failures in the department to bolster diversity within the department and create jobs and advancement opportunities for women and people of color. Prosecutors said that on Dec. 11, 2011, Melanson reportedly set fire to radio equipment that then caused extensive damage to the Compton Fire Department's headquarters. Chief of Department Fire Chief: Richard G. Petrin RPetrin@tlcri.com Public Safety Complex 60 Simmons Road Little Compton,RI 02837 Website: littlecomptonfirerescue.com Telephone: (401) 635-2323 Fax: (401) 635-2013 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 9-1-1 This will increase the pool of men and women committed to equality and opportunity with the required education and relevant certifications to consider for this critical role.. As you stay cozy and warm this winter season, be fire smart! In November 1989, Fire Fighter Mackey transferred . We, and other small departments across the country, often rely on mutual aid from other fire departments when responding to major emergencies such as building fires, major vehicle crashes, and large grass fires. Are you a Firefighter at Compton Fire Department 1 or a member of the Compton community? Fire Chief? Enter https://www.firerescue1.com/ and click OK. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Compton Fire Department 1 2.6 (11-16-016) Fire Chief, Each 9-1-1 Provider Agency; CEO, Each Private Provider Agency: California Occupation Safety and Health Standards related to workplace violence prevention in health care. In 1925, the department converted to professional status, hiring its first paid fire chief and five firefighters, supplementing its current staff of 20 volunteer firefighters. July 7, 2015 / 10:50 PM As technology has improved in recent years, the public has been encouraged to treat victims with computerized defibrillators installed in public places such as airports, offices, zoos and government buildings. Melanson had served with the fire department for 17 years. COMPTON, Calif. A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief pleaded no contest Tuesday to felony charges of arson of property and embezzlement by a public . You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. The Compton Fire Chief requested the LASD's Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau to assist in looking into the case on January 4, 2012. April 16--A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief pleaded no contest Tuesday to felony charges of arson of property and embezzlement by a public official. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Chief Compton has been a member of the fire service since 1971, rising through the ranks to become Assistant Fire Chief of Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department and later Fire Chief of Mesa (AZ) Fire . Select the option or tab named Internet Options (Internet Explorer), Options (Firefox), Preferences (Safari) or Settings (Chrome). Your subscription has been confirmed. Fire Chief Darcey O'Riordan . Fire Department Title: Fire Chief Phone: 417-732-3801 Return to Staff Directory. Your request has been confirmed! The Los Angeles County Fire Department is responsible for protecting the lives and property of 4 million residents living in 1.25 million housing units in 60 cities, including the City of La Habra in Orange County, and the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. All rights reserved.