Most Portland, Maine Fireboat Trips for Non-emergencies
An investigation has found that more than two-thirds of the trips made last year by the Portland Fire Department’s three boats were for non-emergency purposes.
The Portland Press Herald reviewed city records following an incident earlier this month in which the $3.2 million City of Portland IV fireboat sustained $38,000 in damage when it hit an underwater object. Two firefighters were suspended following the incident. The trip was described as a training exercise, but 12 civilians were on board at the time.
Records for 2010 show 547 “service runs” to ferry city employees or make other non-urgent trips transporting civilians, and 239 emergency runs for medical or fire calls.
Fire Chief Fred LaMontagne has ordered a review of policies following the Oct. 15 accident.
- 4,800 Claims Handled by Unlicensed Adjusters in Florida After Irma, Lawsuit Says
- 2024 Wildfire Forecast Calls for ‘Below Average’ Season
- South Carolina Allows Out-of-State Adjusters After Massive Hail Storm
- Work Safety Group Releases List of ‘Dirty Dozen’ Employers
- Mother of 8-Year-Old ‘Violently Sucked’ into Houston Hotel Pool Files Wrongful Death Suit
- Florida’s Home Insurance Industry May Be Worse Than Anyone Realizes
- Poll: Consumers OK with AI in P/C Insurance, but Not So Much for Claims and Underwriting
- California Chiropractor Sentenced to 54 Years for $150M Workers’ Comp Scheme