Cops: Fire crew used hydrant for pool

[Buttercup]

Cops: Fire crew used hydrant for pool



Police looking for drug activity in a residential area on Father's Day saw something they weren't expecting: a fire crew hooking their hose into a hydrant and filling a private swimming pool with water.

Now, the three-person fire crew could face disciplinary action ranging from suspension to being fired, depending on the outcome of an internal investigation, said Mike Taylor, spokesman for Wyandotte County's Unified Government.

He expects some type of action will be taken by the end of the week.

"The use of Fire Department equipment for such a purpose is a clear violation of Unified Government and KCK Fire Department policy," Taylor said Wednesday, speaking at a news conference. "It is misuse of equipment, and taking water from the hydrant to fill a private swimming pool without paying for it is theft."

He said the resident with the pool will get a bill after the Board of Public Utilities estimates the amount of water taken.

The leader of the crew — a department veteran of more than 20 years who was serving as an acting captain — and the two other firefighters remain on duty while the investigation is being completed.

"The findings of the investigation will also have a bearing on whether criminal charges are considered and filed," Taylor said. "The Unified Government and KCK Fire Department will not condone or tolerate by its employees the kind of conduct that has been alleged in this case."

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com

[Pudge]

Cops: Fire crew used hydrant for pool



Police looking for drug activity in a residential area on Father's Day saw something they weren't expecting: a fire crew hooking their hose into a hydrant and filling a private swimming pool with water.

Now, the three-person fire crew could face disciplinary action ranging from suspension to being fired, depending on the outcome of an internal investigation, said Mike Taylor, spokesman for Wyandotte County's Unified Government.

He expects some type of action will be taken by the end of the week.

"The use of Fire Department equipment for such a purpose is a clear violation of Unified Government and KCK Fire Department policy," Taylor said Wednesday, speaking at a news conference. "It is misuse of equipment, and taking water from the hydrant to fill a private swimming pool without paying for it is theft."

He said the resident with the pool will get a bill after the Board of Public Utilities estimates the amount of water taken.

The leader of the crew — a department veteran of more than 20 years who was serving as an acting captain — and the two other firefighters remain on duty while the investigation is being completed.

"The findings of the investigation will also have a bearing on whether criminal charges are considered and filed," Taylor said. "The Unified Government and KCK Fire Department will not condone or tolerate by its employees the kind of conduct that has been alleged in this case."

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com

I've seen it happen. Hell, local departments around here used to fill pools as a service years ago.

But, if you want some fitting punishment, make them clean the shitters at a city pool for a week.

[countybear]

I bet if that were the Chief's or a Councilman's pool, it'd be no problem at all...

[Jackalope]

Who cares?

[Pudge]

I bet if that were the Chief's or a Councilman's pool, it'd be no problem at all...

+1

[mavriktu]

That is an extremely common practice in the south.Fire equipment and hydrants have to be flushed periodically,and why not kill 2 birds with one stone??Just yesterday on patrol I watched 3 trucks "purging " from a hydrant into a pond.Why not a pool??any hosedraggers on here that can verify this,info I have posted?

[TXPO710]

I'm also on a VFD. We've been asked to do this. The County rule is the pool owner has to get a meter that measures how much water is used and pay for it. That's just here though.