ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County firefighter was caught on camera racing to an emergency call while on his cellphone, 9 Investigates learned.
It’s against county policy for all employees to use a cellphone while driving. Orange County firefighter Gary Stone nearly caused a crash that could’ve killed an innocent, unsuspecting driver, according to investigative reporter Daralene Jones
Jones uncovered the fact that it's the second time this year Stone was caught using a cellphone behind the wheel.
Raw: Firefighter driving to an emergency while on cellphone nearly crashes
9 Investigates requested a copy of the video, which was obtained a few days ago. In the video, you can see Stone racing to an emergency call, driving a fire rescue truck. His alert partner helps avoid a crash at nearly 60 mph.
Stone can be heard apologizing for the near-crash that put his partner and an innocent driver in danger.
“I did not see him, did not see him. Sorry,” Stone tells his partner.
“He is jeopardizing people's life and even other drivers. You can’t fully pay attention to driving while you're on the phone and you're trying to save a life. It's wrong, I'm disgusted by it,” said Maria Negron.
Stone was recently suspended 12 hours. 9 Investigates learned this is the second time this year he was caught operating a rescue truck while using his cellphone.
An "observation form" we requested details a citizen complaint. In January, a citizen filed a complaint, alleging Stone nearly ran her off the road two to three times. His supervisor issued the "observation form," which is considered informal counseling.
“No, he should be suspended for more than that, or fired,” Eureina Rosswell said.
The department only found out about the near-crash because of the drive cameras installed in 1,200 vehicles countywide, including fire rescue.
“It's working. Most people are doing it right out there, and it's had the desired impact,” said Orange County Fire Chief Otto Drozd.
Insurance records show accidents in all county vehicles, including fire rescue, cost taxpayers an average $623,000 a year before the cameras were installed.
That average is down to $323,000 now.
And the county did average 324 accidents. That’s dropped to about 99 a year. Still, some question whether discipline goes far enough for those like Stone.
“He needs to find himself another line of work. This is not for him,” Negron said.
Fire employees go through alert driving computer based training every three years. Discipline is progressive.
In this case, the supervisor could’ve issued a written or oral reprimand. Instead, he skipped that and suspended the firefighter for 12 hours. The firefighter, so far, has not appealed the decision.
WFTV
