9 Investigates

9 Investigates: Seminole County fire crew unavailable for calls during night of boat crash

9 Investigates uncovered a Seminole County Fire Department crew was out of the county and unavailable for calls for more than an hour, and dispatchers were unaware.
It happened the same night as a boat crash on May 6, involving two off-duty firefighters. 
Brett Leftwich is facing a misdemeanor boating under the influence charge related to that crash.
Investigative reporter Karla Ray’s questions uncovered a list of policy violations by the crews at the scene, who were helping their own.
Leftwich was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center the night of the crash, which happened on Prairie Lake near Casselberry. 
A new administrative review, prompted by questions from 9 Investigates, shows Leftwich had an entourage of his then-colleagues with him at the hospital.
“Why do you think it took us, Channel 9, asking over and over about this for the entire story to come to light?” Karla  Ray asked deputy county manager Bruce McMenemy.
“That’s an excellent question.  I don’t have a good answer for you,” McMenemy said.
9 Investigates learned a crew from Fire Station 12, based out of Altamonte Springs, arrived at the scene, even though they were called off by dispatch. 
Engine 12 also drove to ORMC to retrieve a lieutenant and a paramedic who rode with Leftwich for treatment. 
According to the review, that means the firetruck and crew were out of jurisdiction and unaccounted-for for more than an hour, and dispatchers were unaware.
An automated vehicle location system showed the fire engine at the scene along Prairie Lake Drive at 10:04 p.m. the night of the crash, and then arriving at ORMC about 30 minutes later. 
The engine stayed there for another 30 minutes before returning back to its quarters on Douglas Avenue in Altamonte Springs at 11:25 p.m. 
“It doesn't appear at any time that the public was at risk.  But when these policies are not followed, it potentially could've put the public at risk,” McMenemy said.
The other off-duty firefighter involved in the crash, Steven Stiver, was given a ride home by an on-duty firefighter. 
Another firefighter spent at least an hour and a half moving the boat across Prairie Lake to Leftwich’s home. 
Investigators called both a "misuse of county resources."  Policy changes are expected as a result.
“It took a number of interrogations, and quite a bit of asking to get the full story, and it took a while. We're not happy with that,” McMenemy said.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Leftwich resigned the same day Seminole county leaders learned he was facing charges for boating under the influence.  A battalion chief and a lieutenant were both suspended for one shift as a result of the investigation.

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