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The Austin Fire Department this year has seen a spike in crashes involving fire vehicles that has led the agency to enact a new disciplinary system, which has rankled the firefighters union and has already led to more than 20 suspensions in recent months. Over the past six years, the department has averaged 54 crashes a year involving fire equipment and vehicles.
- PUB DATE: 12/21/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Austin American-Statesman

Farrell council voted on Monday for a settlement with their former fire chief, William C. Mortimer Jr., that would allow him to forego possible jail time in exchange for giving up his sick time buyout, the city manager said. “We allowed him to resign and in exchange we get to keep the money,” City Manager Michael Ceci said.
- PUB DATE: 12/21/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Sharon Herald

Lawyers representing Derick Ion Almena, the manager of the Ghost Ship warehouse, say negligence on the part of Oakland city officials was to blame for a fire that killed 36 people this month, and not their client. In a joint statement released Monday, the lawyers said Alameda County officials who are now investigating the blaze have a “conflict of interest” and that Almena will likely be made a scapegoat in the deadly Dec.
- PUB DATE: 12/21/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Los Angeles Times