compton fire department chief

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. July 7, 2015 / 10:50 PM 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. The departments paramedics, a small subset of the agencys employees, continue to carry defibrillators and are dispatched with lower-skilled firefighters on most 911 calls. A huge fire visible across Los Angeles burned material in a commercial yard and parked buses early Friday. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for VINTAGE COMPTON FD SHIELD FIRE DEPT CAIRNS LEATHER HELMET FIREMAN FIREFIGHTER FD at the best online prices at eBay! Melanson must pay restitution, but the amount is still being determined, the prosecutor added. The heavily tattooed Compton Fire Department deputy chief was the star of his own reality series on BET called "First In . Renee Rose said. You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. The allegations shook the Compton Fire Department, where Melanson had been well-liked. 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. "It's like a family business terminating your brother or something.". 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. In an interview, he vowed to restore the citys certifications and get defibrillators back on fire apparatus. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience. After the damaged radios were accounted for and it was noticed that some were missing, an investigation was opened, Deputy Dist. CITY CAREERS Browse & Apply for Jobs . In the meantime, if units without a paramedic arrive first at the scene of a cardiac arrest, they could be limited to providing CPR until more highly trained rescuers arrive to deliver an electronic shock. LOS ANGELES . Melanson is expected to be sentenced May 22. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Phones: Service/Intake and Administration (310) 605-5670 Visit Website Directions Help protect your furry family. Cardiac arrests are among the most time-sensitive medical emergencies. As you stay cozy and warm this winter season, be fire smart! Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Your Privacy Choices/(Opt-Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). Deputy Fire Chief Bryan Batiste says the removal of four defibrillators from the department's trucks and ambulances shouldn't worry residents. Authorities charge that the terminated deputy chief set a fire at department headquarters as part of his theft of thousands of dollars in radios. Home fires occur more in winter than in any other season. "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. May 17, 2013. He will return to serve as interim chief, taking over for Fire Chief Jon Thompson, who was put on administrative leave. Thompson was placed on administrative leave at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. Fire Capt. Compton Fire Chief Jon Thompson was placed on leave Tuesday as the city launched an investigation after a series of Times reports on breakdowns in the fire agency's . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. COMPTON (CBSLA.com) 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. Rick Roman emphasizes that paramedics carry advanced equipment that can deliver different voltage on cardiac-arrest patients. July 7, 2015 6:29 PM PT. We do have defibrillators, said Capt. 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 agencys ranks. 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I heard you use the word equality, and I want to suggest the focus should be equity, given the historic under-representation, she said. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Montebello Fire Department and Long Beach Fire Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away as possible from your house. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. 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Former Compton Fire Department battalion chief Marcel Melanson, left, appears at his sentencing with his lawyer, George Bird. Smith, 65, served as Comptons fire chief for four years, leaving the office in 2007, he said. Olmsted Fire Department- $26,000. Updated: 2:07 PM CST March 3, 2023. 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. Your request has been confirmed! Salton Community Services District Fire Dept, California State Prison-Los Angeles County Fire Department, Linden-Peters Rural County Fire Protection District, General Dynamics NASSCO - Fire Department. Description: Compton Fire Department 1 This website uses Google Analyticsto collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. I can do this in my sleep.. 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.. Are you the Compton Fire Department 1 Fire Chief? I have a vision for the fire department thats going to be more inclusive, but we really need to start with that foundational budget. For the latest on this developing story follow @palewire. Lexipol. Marcel Melanson, 38, was accused of stealing valuable city-owned radio equipment, then setting a fire to cover up the theft. 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. 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 . It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for fire service professionals worldwide. The department provides fire and rescue services for the city of Compton from four fire stations (see the site list for details). As you stay cozy and warm this winter season, be fire smart! "We have identified where the breakdown was in terms of the training and the continuing [education] and so the county and Department of Public Health is working with us," he said, adding, "Since we've taken them off, there hasn't been any type of calls where we would have used them within the last week or so.". Thompson will continue to be paid while on leave, he said. 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 . All rights reserved. winter fires! This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. 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. Mitchell said she wants to continue to make strong strides ahead in making sure the fire department is a representative department that reflects the diversity of L.A. County., Please know that I will continue to collaborate with you and hold you accountable for those goals, she said. I am glad that we are taking the first step.. Fire Chief Darcey O'Riordan . A tech lover who constantly finds . Melanson set up the fire to look accidental, said Patrick Wills, an arson investigator with the Long Beach Fire Department. Randolph: Ellis Grove Volunteer Fire Department- $25,800. 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. We will fix everything thats broke. Smith said. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Winter storms ease drought conditions in California, report shows, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Best coffee city in the world? . Investigators from the Long Beach and Montebello fire departments, as well as the U.S.Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, concluded the blaze was arson. Marrone has been serving as interim chief of the department since July 2022. / KCAL News. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We will get in touch with you shortly. Marrone has been serving as interim chief of the department since July 2022. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. who was a member of the Compton Fire Department for over 15 years, is . This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Find out more or adjust your settings. The Compton Fire Chief requested the LASD's Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau to assist in looking into the case on January 4, 2012. Lexipol. www.firehouse.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. LITTLE COMPTON, R.I. (WPRI) When Steven Velozo died on Oct. 2, little about his death was made public. 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. The sheriff's department continues to provide police services for the city. VINTAGE ASST BATT CHIEF HORSHAM SHIELD PA FIRE DEPT . Officials say that it may take several weeks to train the firefighters or verify their credentials. The defendant allegedly set the fire to conceal the theft of the radio equipment. He must also register as an arson offender for life, the Los Angeles County district attorneys office said. For breaking news in Southern California, follow @AliciaDotBanks. Preparing for an emergency is everyone's responsibility. Ford declined to say how long he thought the investigation would take or whether Thompson would return to the job. He had faced up to 10 years and eight months in prison, Rose said. First published on May 16, 2013 / 8:56 PM. Stay safe this holiday season Port Moody! Board members said they had confidence in Marrones ability to improve the makeup of the agency. 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. 3. . 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. As a result of the plea, authorities dropped the more severe charge of arson of a structure and a second embezzlement count. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. In California, Compton is ranked 909th of 1798 cities in Fire Departments per capita, and 448th of 1798 cities in Fire Departments per square mile. The investigation of Melanson started after a fire spread across a racquetball court inside Compton Fire Station No. He was featured on the BET reality series First In.. 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. By clicking I Accept or using our site, you are consenting to the use of cookies unless you disable them. 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. In November 1989, Fire Fighter Mackey transferred . 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. Former Fire Chief Rico Smith will take over day-to-day management of the department and serve as interim chief, Ford said. 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. Address: 201 S. Acacia Ave. Compton CA 90220 Website: http://www.comptoncity.org Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:00am to 6:00pm. 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. Opening the process will ensure that diverse applicants from across the nation have the opportunity to apply, according to the letter. This button displays the currently selected search type. Under state law, emergency rescuers must be periodically retrained on how to use the equipment before it can be carried on the firetrucks and ambulances that respond to the bulk of 911 calls for medical help. 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. Shop high quality Compton Fire Department shirts from Compton Fire Apparel.. Investigators turned their attention to Melanson, who was on duty when the fire broke out and said to be the only employee with access to the radios. COLONA, Ill. Several area fire departments will be purchasing new gear after benefitting from grants issued by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal . 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. We need to fix it, he said. Copyright 2014 Los Angeles Times His bail was set at $350,000.The 37-year-old Melanson had appeared on the BET reality series "First In.". www.firehouse.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for fire service professionals worldwide. 2 talking about this. We do have paramedic services. Marcel Dione Melanson, 38, was ordered to pay $517,477 in restitution for the 2011 fire; he paid $100,000 before being taken into custody. and suppliers. COMPTON, Calif. (AP) A huge fire visible across Los Angeles burned stacks of pallets in a commercial yard and buses parked in a neighboring lot Friday. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). . NEIGHBORHOODS: Read more news from Compton. Published: September 2020. ONLINE PAYMENTS Republic Water Account Access. First published on July 7, 2015 / 10:50 PM. Your subscription has been confirmed. All Rights Reserved. Please enter valid email address to continue. ONLINE PAYMENTS Essential Cookies should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Richland: City of Olney Fire Department- $25,526.32 . Through the combined efforts of Compton Fire Department and Compton Unified School District (ROP), the first Compton Fire Academy applied for and received A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief was sentenced to three years and four months in prison for selling city-owned radio equipment and starting a fire to conceal the theft, prosecutors said. 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. Irreversible brain damage can begin after four minutes. 1 in December 2011 in an indoor racquetball court where the radio equipment was stored. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. You will be redirected once the validation is complete. is a Fire Department located in Compton, LOS ANGELES County, in the State of CA. Are you a Firefighter at Compton Fire Department 1 or a member of the Compton community? Curbing firefighter arsons is one of the toughest nuts to crack, but here are some steps to get a handle on the problem. Its something thats going to be cleaned up very soon, Gomez said. Deputy Fire Chief Bryan Batiste says the removal of four defibrillators from their trucks and ambulances shouldn't worry residents. Ford acted soon after The Times reported late Monday that county regulators forced Compton fire officials to remove the devices last week after the city was unable to produce documentation showing that firefighters had been properly trained to use the equipment. Marrone will earn $441,792 a year as county fire chief. Police didn't respond to requests for information at the time. July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day! Patrick Willis, an arson investigator with the Long Beach Fire Department, told the court Melanson sought to make the fire look accidental. Inside were about 200 radios valued at more than $1 million. Copyright 2023 FireRescue1. Subscribe to our newsletter for local news, giveaways, and updates. Lexipol. We owe it to the citizens to report out on what is happening inside our Fire Department. she said. It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. Meanwhile, Los Angeles County sheriff's investigators discovered that many of the missing radios were sold on EBay or offline to private buyers, Rose said. Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year. interacts online and researches product purchases 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. COMPTON (CBSLA.com) Compton Fire Department Chief Jon Thompson has been placed on leave pending an investigation into compliance with key lifesaving devices. Administration Office 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Ford Aerostar van. 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Compton-born Oscar winners Travon Free and Samir Hernandez were in attendance and were recognized for their film "Two Distant Strangers". All rights reserved. In Case of an Emergency, call 9-1-1. Marrone has been serving as interim chief of the department since July 2022. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. Former Fire Chief Rico. Compton Fire Department 1 All rights reserved. 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. Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays) If requesting records from the City of Port Coquitlam's Fire Hall, please see MVA & Fire Incident Reports. Chief Compton was the Fire Chief in Mesa, Arizona, for 5 years and Assistant Fire Chief in Phoenix where he served for 27 years. This process is automatic. Prior to being placed on leave, Thompson maintained that losing defibrillators from most fire vehicles did not put the public at greater risk. Find out all the information about the Fire Departments in the USA. 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 (CBSLA.com) 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. interacts online and researches product purchases 2009-2022 USA Fire Departments usfiredept.com All Rights reserved. "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. Compton Fire Department Chief Jon Thompson has been . Copyright 2023 Duane Compton Fire Department Title: Fire Chief Phone: 417-732-3801 dcompton@republicmo.com. Compton Junction FD was assisted by Nevada Fire Department, Hume Fire Department, and Deerfield Fire Department. 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Home fires occur more in winter than in any other season. 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. Copyright 2023 He is expected to be sentenced to three years and four months in state prison, a prosecutor said. Marcel Melanson, 38, was. 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. The cause of the fire remained under investigation, a Compton Fire Department battalion chief told City News. Phone & Fax Phone: 310-605-5670 Fax: 310-632-8414. Former Fire Chief Rico Smith, right, left the force in 2007. All rights reserved. LOS ANGELES The county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Anthony C. Marrone as the next county fire chief Feb. 28, but board members made clear they wanted to see improvements in the numbers of women and people of color in the agency's ranks. Return to Staff Directory. Fire Chief Jon Thompson said he was happy that Melanson's plea saved his department from getting involved in a trial. Theres much more work that needs to be done.. Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.