sob153
02-16-2005, 02:48 PM
State Investigates Washtenaw County, Michigan Deputies Who Saved Residents From Building
The Associated Press
ANN ARBOR, MI (AP) -- The state is investigating a complaint that Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies broke workplace safety regulations when they saved two people from a burning apartment building.
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking into whether the sheriff's department suggested that its deputies enter a fire without protective equipment -- before firefighters arrived on the scene.
Sheriff Daniel Minzey said he was shocked to learn someone filed an anonymous complaint with MIOSHA after three deputies rescued two Ypsilanti Township residents on Nov. 17.
"I'm proud of them," he told The Ann Arbor News for a story published Tuesday. "They faced a dangerous situation and had to make a decision. They decided to do something to try to save a life. Now they're being investigated as if they did something wrong."
The deputies received awards for their actions.
The department could face citations or fines if MIOSHA finds the deputies' actions violated safety rules.
The anonymous complaint said the department had let deputies enter fires several times before.
On Nov. 17, the deputies arrived before firefighters and helped a 68-year-old woman out before pulling another man out. The deputies were treated for smoke inhalation. One deputy also suffered a back injury from carrying the man out.
One deputy, Eugene Rush, said he would do the same thing again.
"Everyone has a job that they have to do, and MIOSHA is no different," Rush said. "No one told me or suggested to me that I go into a burning building without the proper equipment, and that allegation is in poor taste. There was not much time, and we had to react, and the outcome was great. We make judgment calls each time we step into the uniform."
imagine that. Being investigated for saving someones life. when I first took a glance at the headline I though they were being accused of starting it. go figure. Very routine in law enforcement. Getting in trouble for doing the right thing that is
The Associated Press
ANN ARBOR, MI (AP) -- The state is investigating a complaint that Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies broke workplace safety regulations when they saved two people from a burning apartment building.
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking into whether the sheriff's department suggested that its deputies enter a fire without protective equipment -- before firefighters arrived on the scene.
Sheriff Daniel Minzey said he was shocked to learn someone filed an anonymous complaint with MIOSHA after three deputies rescued two Ypsilanti Township residents on Nov. 17.
"I'm proud of them," he told The Ann Arbor News for a story published Tuesday. "They faced a dangerous situation and had to make a decision. They decided to do something to try to save a life. Now they're being investigated as if they did something wrong."
The deputies received awards for their actions.
The department could face citations or fines if MIOSHA finds the deputies' actions violated safety rules.
The anonymous complaint said the department had let deputies enter fires several times before.
On Nov. 17, the deputies arrived before firefighters and helped a 68-year-old woman out before pulling another man out. The deputies were treated for smoke inhalation. One deputy also suffered a back injury from carrying the man out.
One deputy, Eugene Rush, said he would do the same thing again.
"Everyone has a job that they have to do, and MIOSHA is no different," Rush said. "No one told me or suggested to me that I go into a burning building without the proper equipment, and that allegation is in poor taste. There was not much time, and we had to react, and the outcome was great. We make judgment calls each time we step into the uniform."
imagine that. Being investigated for saving someones life. when I first took a glance at the headline I though they were being accused of starting it. go figure. Very routine in law enforcement. Getting in trouble for doing the right thing that is