This message was from STEVE BLACK to ALL,
originally in conference misc.transport.rail.americas
-------------------------

DELRAY BEACH - Four members of Delray Beach Fire Rescue have been put on administrative leave with pay pending the results of an internal
administrative investigation into the crash of a fire truck with a
Brightline train on Saturday.

On Friday night, Chief Ronald Martin said in a statement Assistant Chief
Kevin Green, Division Chief Todd Lynch, Capt. Brian Fiorey and Driver
Engineer David Wyatt were suspended.

He didn't say whether they were on the fire truck in the crash before
10:50 a.m. at the intersection of East Atlantic Avenue and Southeast First Avenue.

At least three firefighters were hospitalized and a dozen people were
injured.

"As Fire Chief, my top priority is the safety of our community and the well-being of the brave men and women who serve it," he said.

"This action is consistent with City policy and a procedural step as we
review the facts. The administrative investigation is necessary to ensure accountability and uphold the trust of our community."

In response to the crash, Brightline released a video right before the
moment of impact on X, which showed the fire engine apparently crossing
the tracks while the guardrails were down.

"All public safety agencies carry an immense responsibility," he said in
the statement Friday. "I remain fully committed to learning from this
incident, strengthening our procedures, and ensuring our firefighters have
the training and resources needed to protect Delray Beach safely and effectively.

"This is the time to examine where we might have fallen short in the past
and make the tough decisions needed to ensure we don't continue to do so.
I am committed to implementing meaningful changes to strengthen our
operations and taking the necessary steps to uphold the integrity of our department.

The fire department is cooperating with Delray Beach Police Department, Brightline and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

On Tuesday in a Facebook post, Martin said he is committed to preventing similar crashes in the future, describing it as a "a turning point . a
moment from which we will learn and grow."

"This crash is a sobering reminder that emergency responders must always balance the urgency inherent in their work with caution, ensuring that the safety of our community remains our guiding principle," he wrote Tuesday.

Martin took over as the head of the city's fire rescue department in
October after serving as chief of safety for the Louisiana Office of the
State Fire Marshal.

https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/delray-beach-fire-chiefs-suspends-4- pending-investigation-of-brightline-crash-into-fire-truck/


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