Thursday, February 7, 2008
STATter 911 Exclusive: Convicted arsonist serving as volunteer in MD. Was part of a 1990 arson ring involving 10 firefighters.
Napoleon Queen on December 22, 2007. Photo by Wayne Barrall at FITHP.net. More pictures of FF Queen and Ritchie VFD in action, here. Since July, 2007 Napoleon Queen has been a volunteer firefighter in Prince George's County, Maryland. This was the 39-year-old Queen's second firefighting stint in the county. His first one ended abruptly in 1990 when he was arrested for arson.
According to Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady, Queen has been responding on emergency calls with the Ritchie Volunteer Fire Department (Station 837) despite Ritchie's leadership being notified in September that Queen is a convicted arsonist. Ritchie Volunteer Fire Department president Dave Crigger says no one at his station ever received that notification.
Crigger says about eight hours after STATter 911 began asking about Napoleon Queen on Tuesday, Queen was told he could no longer respond on calls. Spokesman Brady says our questions have prompted an investigation into why Ritchie's leadership failed to act on the September order. Brady raised the possibility of disciplinary action.
Photo by Wayne Barrall at FITHP.net Brady said, "We notified the appropriate responsible individuals of the leadership of that particular station and we expected them to follow through with our orders".
In an email response to questions, Dave Crigger wrote they were notified in recent weeks that there may be issues with Queen, but it didn't come from PGFD: "Yes, notification was received about a month ago from a letter in the mail. It was not from a fire department source. We inquired to the county regarding this matter and had not had a response until Tuesday, February 5th in the afternoon from Mark Brady".
Crigger points out that, "We do not do background checks, that is the responsibility of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS."
Court records and news archives identify Queen as a member of an arson ring involving ten volunteer firefighters. Queen and some of those arrested belonged to the Boulevard Heights VFD (now Station 817). The rest were from the District Heights VFD (now Station 826). Most of those arrested were junior members, between 16 and 18 years of age. Napoleon Queen was 21-years-old in September, 1990 when the arrests occurred.
Napoleon Queen in 1990 mug shot provided by PGFD investigators
Maryland Court records show Queen entered a guilty plea on two counts of setting fires to homes. He was sentenced to 10-years in prison with all but 4-years suspended.
State of Maryland court records, like the one above, can easily be found on-line at this address: http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/inquiry-index.jsp
Ritchie VFD, a private corporation, is all-volunteer with no career staff. According to Mark Brady: "The fire chief has limited authority in that particular station. It's not like we can do bed checks every night to see who is sleeping in that particular station. And it's up to the volunteer corporation to police their own members."
Until Wednesday, the Ritchie VFD website, Ritchie37.com, listed Napoleon Queen as a live-in member. His name has now been removed. Dave Crigger, said while Queen rode with the company, he was not a member.
President Crigger said Ritchie VFD, "is currently working on a resolution to prevent this from happening in the future".
When asked about PGFD's responsibility in this matter, spokesman Brady indicated the problem was not at their end: "I think it goes back to supervision. What red flags should have been put up through this process between September and now is something we are going to take a look at. Where there any flaws in our system? We don't believe so."
STATter 911 could not reach Napoleon Queen. His last known address was the Ritchie fire station.
Photo by Wayne Barrall at FITHP.net
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Dave:
You know I support what you do 100%. The media has a right and an obligation to inform. I do not know Mr Queen. I did not know him in 1990. In fact I responded on some of the rings arson jobs when I was at Seat Pleasant. We could have been hurt or worse.
However, while adolescent arson setting is a terrible thing this happened 18 years ago. I am sure much has changed in his life and for him to be on media focus may very well be a disservice to him and the Richie Fire Co. Please use dilligence when running this. If you want to this let story run, have him tell his story or how the state rehab him. ON OCCASION, we teach these young guys useful skills, pump them up and create over zealous juvy fireman arsonists. Just my opinion. Seey a!
Alan Noznesky
You know I support what you do 100%. The media has a right and an obligation to inform. I do not know Mr Queen. I did not know him in 1990. In fact I responded on some of the rings arson jobs when I was at Seat Pleasant. We could have been hurt or worse.
However, while adolescent arson setting is a terrible thing this happened 18 years ago. I am sure much has changed in his life and for him to be on media focus may very well be a disservice to him and the Richie Fire Co. Please use dilligence when running this. If you want to this let story run, have him tell his story or how the state rehab him. ON OCCASION, we teach these young guys useful skills, pump them up and create over zealous juvy fireman arsonists. Just my opinion. Seey a!
Alan Noznesky
Did you really think that Ritchie was going to admit to knowing this individuals record and still allowed him to be a member?
# posted by 
: February 6, 2008 8:22 PM
: February 6, 2008 8:22 PM
Juvenile arson setter??? He was convicted at 21 years old....This is absolutely unacceptable. Who does background checks for volunteers? There is no way in which he should be allowed to perform in this function. How many more are out there doing this? I look forward to more on this story Dave...Thanks.
# posted by : February 6, 2008 8:53 PM
: February 6, 2008 8:53 PM
Alan,
Thank you, as always, for your thoughts.
While unfortunately the story is about Mr. Queen, who we have not been able to track down, I think it is a much bigger issue. It is really about the system of background checks in Prince George's County and how it works or doesn't work.
There are a lot of questions I could not get answers for, including:
1. How come someone was allowed to ride before there was a background check (Hey, we could be talking about a terrorist, rather than an arsonist)?
2. How come PGFD says they notified Ritchie a month after Mr. Queen started riding, yet Ritchie says they know nothing about it?
3. Does PGFD's responsibility end with just making the notification to Ritchie? Should there be follow-up on its part?
4. We have seen, in a number of cases, where PGFD has decided certain people can't be part of the operation and they make sure it happens. What was different about this case?
The overall question is why did it take a reporter to let PGFD know this was happening, 5 months after they ordered Mr. Queen not to ride?
And by the way Alan, I also support what you do 100%.
Keep in touch.
Statter
Thank you, as always, for your thoughts.
While unfortunately the story is about Mr. Queen, who we have not been able to track down, I think it is a much bigger issue. It is really about the system of background checks in Prince George's County and how it works or doesn't work.
There are a lot of questions I could not get answers for, including:
1. How come someone was allowed to ride before there was a background check (Hey, we could be talking about a terrorist, rather than an arsonist)?
2. How come PGFD says they notified Ritchie a month after Mr. Queen started riding, yet Ritchie says they know nothing about it?
3. Does PGFD's responsibility end with just making the notification to Ritchie? Should there be follow-up on its part?
4. We have seen, in a number of cases, where PGFD has decided certain people can't be part of the operation and they make sure it happens. What was different about this case?
The overall question is why did it take a reporter to let PGFD know this was happening, 5 months after they ordered Mr. Queen not to ride?
And by the way Alan, I also support what you do 100%.
Keep in touch.
Statter
I am in no position to comment on Mr.Queens situation, I wasn't there. I did notice in your story that according to Mark Brady the PGFD fire cheif has no say inside of a corporation like Ritchie, but he can go into Kentland and stomp his feet about Nick Martin or ambulance. Would you care to comment on that?
# posted by : February 6, 2008 9:50 PM
: February 6, 2008 9:50 PM
Dave,
Your story is irresponsible journalism at best and at worst it is a slanderous attack on a dedicated volunteer organization. Wether or not this man did what is said is irrevelavent. You as a past volunteer should understand that the very people you look to for your stories are the ones you just discredited and made to look criminal.
Fire Departments rely heavily on public opinion and when an irresponsible reporter like yourself chooses to give departments a "black eye" in the publics view it just doesnt affect the individual in question it affects all of us.
I must question your motives. Were you personally affected? I doubt it.
You saw a chance to make a name for yourself and get your story on the news. I understand that is your profession but how about using a little common sense and responsibility.
Reporters like you are what gives the media the label that you have, and is a prime reason people cringe at the mere site of you pulling up at an incident.
I would like you to take a second and realize that those people who seem faceless to you now are some of the same ones who you will be looking to for your stories in the future.
I personally would not give you the time of day during an incident just so you can better your career and I only hope that others will follow suit.
I hope (but I doubt) that you take the time to recognize the folks of that department who uphold the publics trust and dedicate themselves to ensuring the safety of the communities they are responsible for.
You must be a squeaky clean individual without any blemishes on your record. How else could you sit and pass judgement on others.
In closing i would just like to know how much does it cost to clean all of those windows in the glass house you live in?
Your story is irresponsible journalism at best and at worst it is a slanderous attack on a dedicated volunteer organization. Wether or not this man did what is said is irrevelavent. You as a past volunteer should understand that the very people you look to for your stories are the ones you just discredited and made to look criminal.
Fire Departments rely heavily on public opinion and when an irresponsible reporter like yourself chooses to give departments a "black eye" in the publics view it just doesnt affect the individual in question it affects all of us.
I must question your motives. Were you personally affected? I doubt it.
You saw a chance to make a name for yourself and get your story on the news. I understand that is your profession but how about using a little common sense and responsibility.
Reporters like you are what gives the media the label that you have, and is a prime reason people cringe at the mere site of you pulling up at an incident.
I would like you to take a second and realize that those people who seem faceless to you now are some of the same ones who you will be looking to for your stories in the future.
I personally would not give you the time of day during an incident just so you can better your career and I only hope that others will follow suit.
I hope (but I doubt) that you take the time to recognize the folks of that department who uphold the publics trust and dedicate themselves to ensuring the safety of the communities they are responsible for.
You must be a squeaky clean individual without any blemishes on your record. How else could you sit and pass judgement on others.
In closing i would just like to know how much does it cost to clean all of those windows in the glass house you live in?
# posted by : February 6, 2008 10:12 PM
: February 6, 2008 10:12 PM
Some of the people in the 1990 video look like some DCFD Firefighters and Officers. Take a closer look.
# posted by : February 6, 2008 11:05 PM
: February 6, 2008 11:05 PM
Napoleon Queen also joined a volunteer department in Charles County and to my knowledge was an officer?????
# posted by : February 6, 2008 11:07 PM
: February 6, 2008 11:07 PM
The funny thing is that PGFD has total control of this and ritchie is in no way at fault. PGFD does the background checks(with FBI fingerprinting) They are trying to point fingers at ritchie to take the heat off of them. Dave if i were you i would investigate PGFD and find what screwup is allowing things like this to happen!!!
# posted by : February 7, 2008 1:38 AM
: February 7, 2008 1:38 AM
I think that this whole thing is BS. This whole thing started 18 years ago. Mr. Queen is a very good person. I did not know him back then but I know him now. He has a big heart and would do anything for anybody. He admitted what he did and served his time. Now 18 years later he wants to volunteer and help the community, but you have people telling him he can't. Dave you put his name and the Ritchie Volunteer Fire Department all over the news so that everybody can trash them. I feel that people change and Mr. Queen has and now what you people are doing is wrong.
# posted by : February 7, 2008 10:08 AM
: February 7, 2008 10:08 AM
Anonymous,
What Mr. Statter did is his job. Sometimes, as Journalists, we have to report stories that are both good and bad. Did Mr. Statter derive a pleasure from reporting this story? I should think not. Does he enjoy giving that "black eye" to the Department in questions? I don't think so. But as a Journalist, Mr. Statter has a responsibilty to protect the public, as do Firefighters. Imagine had this story not broken, and more arson fires occured, who would have taken the blame/responsibility then? The media and Emergency Services can work together, and in many places they do, quite well. The fact that you would not "...personally would not give you the time of day during an incident just so you can better your career and I only hope that others will follow suit.", only shows that you are afraid and unwilling to work with the media. Clearly Mr. Statter can defend himself on this matter, but your rant is just one more reason why there is hatred and distrust of the media at incidents. And to keep things clear, I am a working Journalist, a full time Firefighter, and a Volunteer.
What Mr. Statter did is his job. Sometimes, as Journalists, we have to report stories that are both good and bad. Did Mr. Statter derive a pleasure from reporting this story? I should think not. Does he enjoy giving that "black eye" to the Department in questions? I don't think so. But as a Journalist, Mr. Statter has a responsibilty to protect the public, as do Firefighters. Imagine had this story not broken, and more arson fires occured, who would have taken the blame/responsibility then? The media and Emergency Services can work together, and in many places they do, quite well. The fact that you would not "...personally would not give you the time of day during an incident just so you can better your career and I only hope that others will follow suit.", only shows that you are afraid and unwilling to work with the media. Clearly Mr. Statter can defend himself on this matter, but your rant is just one more reason why there is hatred and distrust of the media at incidents. And to keep things clear, I am a working Journalist, a full time Firefighter, and a Volunteer.
# posted by : February 7, 2008 10:54 AM
: February 7, 2008 10:54 AM
Dave Statter,
I'm truly disappointed in this story. I don't know this man, in fact I couldn't find Richie Fire Co. if my life depended on it. This guy made some mistakes almost 20 years ago. He paid his debt to society. Maybe now he wants to go further and help out in his community. Judging by the photo's, he is helping out. But now he can't do that, due to your smear campaign against him. You probably set this poor guy back 20 years in his life, all for what, a 9 news exclusive. Go out a report a real story Dave, one that won't be so detrimental to a person's life. SHAME ON YOU!!
I'm truly disappointed in this story. I don't know this man, in fact I couldn't find Richie Fire Co. if my life depended on it. This guy made some mistakes almost 20 years ago. He paid his debt to society. Maybe now he wants to go further and help out in his community. Judging by the photo's, he is helping out. But now he can't do that, due to your smear campaign against him. You probably set this poor guy back 20 years in his life, all for what, a 9 news exclusive. Go out a report a real story Dave, one that won't be so detrimental to a person's life. SHAME ON YOU!!
# posted by : February 7, 2008 11:43 AM
: February 7, 2008 11:43 AM
Queen is a convicted arsonist/felon. He needs to get another hobby. Nationwide, there is a serious arson problem with volunteers lighting fires. How can people post on here that he should be given another chance. He could have killed any one of you back in his day. The fire service has to have standards and lines in the sand that can't be crossed. This is one of them. Also, how can people blast Dave for doing his job?? Dave goes where the story takes him no matter who is at fault, county or volunteer
# posted by : February 7, 2008 11:57 AM
: February 7, 2008 11:57 AM
This was just posted in your beloved "citizen" comments area so that maybe they can see the entire story.
*These comments are mine, and mine alone, and do not represent the opinion of others who I may know, or am affiliated with*
If you folks had any clue to the whole story, MAYBE you could make an informed decision. Could this have been a vendetta article that Mr Statter bit on?
As it is, you have a one sided story from a man; who if you checked HIS background in the fire service; you may decide to question some of this. I sure don't know all the facts but maybe someone should start looking into him.
Then, once youre done with that, maybe you can check into the background of some other folks in the service of Prince George's County Fire/EMS and maybe THEN you can make an informed decision.
Fact of the matter is, Mr Queen has served his debt to society. Has been rehabilitated and learned from his mistakes. Is that not what we say when we incarcerate individuals? That they have a debt and we are imprisoning them to rehabilitate them? Maybe if you were to meet the man you would see. Instead you choose to listen to a one sided story and make biased comments.
Personally, I would trust and have trusted Mr. Queen with my life, and my home any day of the week. And I can say that because I have served with the man for the past 6 months.
Now to Mr. Statter. You say that the point of the story is background checks? Then why the blatant attack on an invidividual and a department? Not an attack on the system and why wasn't Mr. Brady questions more on the system as a whole? Oh wait, I know, selective journalism. I'm glad to see you've changed your story on the "firefighters" blog when you started recieving some negative remarks.
*These comments are mine, and mine alone, and do not represent the opinion of others who I may know, or am affiliated with*
If you folks had any clue to the whole story, MAYBE you could make an informed decision. Could this have been a vendetta article that Mr Statter bit on?
As it is, you have a one sided story from a man; who if you checked HIS background in the fire service; you may decide to question some of this. I sure don't know all the facts but maybe someone should start looking into him.
Then, once youre done with that, maybe you can check into the background of some other folks in the service of Prince George's County Fire/EMS and maybe THEN you can make an informed decision.
Fact of the matter is, Mr Queen has served his debt to society. Has been rehabilitated and learned from his mistakes. Is that not what we say when we incarcerate individuals? That they have a debt and we are imprisoning them to rehabilitate them? Maybe if you were to meet the man you would see. Instead you choose to listen to a one sided story and make biased comments.
Personally, I would trust and have trusted Mr. Queen with my life, and my home any day of the week. And I can say that because I have served with the man for the past 6 months.
Now to Mr. Statter. You say that the point of the story is background checks? Then why the blatant attack on an invidividual and a department? Not an attack on the system and why wasn't Mr. Brady questions more on the system as a whole? Oh wait, I know, selective journalism. I'm glad to see you've changed your story on the "firefighters" blog when you started recieving some negative remarks.
I am not sure what you are talking about that I changed concerning the facts of this story. I have updated it though the night and this morning. In fact, I just added new information from Ritchie VFD's Larry Lee.
As for the beloved "citizen" comments, it is more of an observation than anything else. It is a look at how two different groups of people view the same story.
I have tried to ask the tough questions of both Ritchie VFD and PGFD. Essentially what did you know, when did you know it and what did you do about it?
More specifically I am trying to understand why PGFD didn't do a follow-up beyond the letter they sent in September. And in Ritchie's case, more specifics about what action they took when notified by someone outside the fire department that there was a problem with Mr. Queen.
As for Mr. Queen he may very well have paid his debt to society and is a model citizen. I have nothing to say otherwise. My story is that he was a firefighter when the rules said he shouldn't be.
As always, thanks for writing.
Statter
As for the beloved "citizen" comments, it is more of an observation than anything else. It is a look at how two different groups of people view the same story.
I have tried to ask the tough questions of both Ritchie VFD and PGFD. Essentially what did you know, when did you know it and what did you do about it?
More specifically I am trying to understand why PGFD didn't do a follow-up beyond the letter they sent in September. And in Ritchie's case, more specifics about what action they took when notified by someone outside the fire department that there was a problem with Mr. Queen.
As for Mr. Queen he may very well have paid his debt to society and is a model citizen. I have nothing to say otherwise. My story is that he was a firefighter when the rules said he shouldn't be.
As always, thanks for writing.
Statter
Dave, Do not apologize for your actions. You acted as a reporter would, you found the story and took it where it lead you. You are exactly correct in that anyone who has ever been convicted of arson does not belong in the Fire Service. I don't care how much jail time he served or if they feel he has been rehabilitated, letting him back in the Fire Service would be like releasing a pedophile in an elementary school. The bottom line is that the rules are the rules and just because it involves a VFD doesn't mean it gives them a free pass.
# posted by : February 7, 2008 3:24 PM
: February 7, 2008 3:24 PM
Funny thing Mr. statter is we are putting Mr. queen on blast but lets look at both sides Paid and Volunteer.
Mr. Queen took a plea in the 90s and got a raw deal if you ask me but he took his licks and did his time now he wants to help and we are telling him NO!!! why????
now we all know hes not the first person to be arrested on either side. but we arent talking about the Batt. chief that sexually harrassed someone got it swept under the rug and took a demotion to captain. or what about the col. for the county that has multiple DUI's even got one with kids in the car and still has a job. thought i valid drivers license we a requirement for a job here?
guess it all depends on which side of the fence you play on right folks. i know we can go back and forth all day about this paid and volly thing here but truth of the matter is volunteers in this county and we are dead wrong. career personal do the same thing its ok they hide it.
Dave you want to do a story why dont you do one about the budget the county is cutting from Volunteer companies? or how about the constant abuse they take on calls but when reported it never makes it past the career Batt. chief.
Mr. Queen took a plea in the 90s and got a raw deal if you ask me but he took his licks and did his time now he wants to help and we are telling him NO!!! why????
now we all know hes not the first person to be arrested on either side. but we arent talking about the Batt. chief that sexually harrassed someone got it swept under the rug and took a demotion to captain. or what about the col. for the county that has multiple DUI's even got one with kids in the car and still has a job. thought i valid drivers license we a requirement for a job here?
guess it all depends on which side of the fence you play on right folks. i know we can go back and forth all day about this paid and volly thing here but truth of the matter is volunteers in this county and we are dead wrong. career personal do the same thing its ok they hide it.
Dave you want to do a story why dont you do one about the budget the county is cutting from Volunteer companies? or how about the constant abuse they take on calls but when reported it never makes it past the career Batt. chief.
# posted by : February 7, 2008 3:51 PM
: February 7, 2008 3:51 PM
It's good to see that the volunteers from Kentland and Ritchie have enough free time to get on here and harass you for doing your job. Maybe we should go to DCFD and AAFD and other career departments in the area and harass them at their jobs. Keep up the good work and unbiased reporting.
# posted by : February 7, 2008 4:45 PM
: February 7, 2008 4:45 PM
Wow Dave, I didn't know so many people of high moral character and the ability to forgive ones fellow man existed as volunteers in PG county; wait they don't. You have gotten them mad because you showed a different side of the volunteer fire department that we (career)deal with every day. That is the side that has no accountability, but this is where I agree with them, I blame the county government for allowing/enabling a system to function this way. They (volunteers) own and operate for realativly free, so if you were a county government receiving a free service, you may look the other way as well. Bottom line, felons can't own guns nor can they vote, but they can be trusted to go into peoples homes in their time of need when they are most vulnerable ? Lets call a spaid a spaid, no matter who messed up here - he shouldn't be put in a position of public trust - how many felon police officers do you want helping you?
# posted by : February 7, 2008 5:01 PM
: February 7, 2008 5:01 PM
Dave, Keep up the good work. DO NOT let these so called F/F's say that all is forgiven. How many firefighters have been injured or even killed from an arson fire. This is not the only F/F convicted of arson who is still in the VFD's. Look in Charles Co. and you will find more. You would not have a pedophile teaching school would you? How about a dirty cop. The truth is WE have an obligation to the public and this kind of crap just erodes the public ' confidence.
# posted by : February 7, 2008 5:30 PM
: February 7, 2008 5:30 PM
dave,keep up the great work!after all you are a reporter, and these fools who are ranting about you are also reading your articles and checking out your site.which i also check everyday.and as usual the kentland babies come out of the woodwork and turn every story into me,me,me!!! it makes me sick.and then the bigger babies come out with the volly vs. career slapfest that never ends down there.the plain truth is if he was a convicted bankrobber he certainly wouldnt be a police officer.same goes for firefighters duh!keep up the great work and the great site i will be reading.pat maine.
# posted by : February 7, 2008 5:37 PM
: February 7, 2008 5:37 PM
Lets now start this again, its not a volunteer or paid issue. Its a fire service issue, nobody convicted of arson should be in our profession, paid or volunteer.
IF the county fire dept did notify the volunteer station, and they did nothing, then SHAME ON THEM, NO EXCUSES. However, IF the volunteer station knew and took no action AND the county fire dept failed to step in and take action, then SHAME ON BOTH GROUPS, NO EXCUSES!
As shown by the county fire chief suspending multiple Kentland volunteer chiefs in the recent past. The county fire chief does have the authority to suspend operational volunteers if he believes the issue to be critical in nature. Why now does he claim "no authority" over the operational status of volunteers?
The person in question may have made a mistake in the past, paid for it, and is now the salt of the earth. If so, God bless him! However, the fact remains, as a convicted felon he now has no place in the public safety arena.
IF the county fire dept did notify the volunteer station, and they did nothing, then SHAME ON THEM, NO EXCUSES. However, IF the volunteer station knew and took no action AND the county fire dept failed to step in and take action, then SHAME ON BOTH GROUPS, NO EXCUSES!
As shown by the county fire chief suspending multiple Kentland volunteer chiefs in the recent past. The county fire chief does have the authority to suspend operational volunteers if he believes the issue to be critical in nature. Why now does he claim "no authority" over the operational status of volunteers?
The person in question may have made a mistake in the past, paid for it, and is now the salt of the earth. If so, God bless him! However, the fact remains, as a convicted felon he now has no place in the public safety arena.
# posted by : February 7, 2008 5:51 PM
: February 7, 2008 5:51 PM
I agree with a little on both views here. First and foremost, he should not be allowed on firetrucks. Second, the lines of communcation were not working. Third, there should be no more conversation about it, he no longer rides in PG and if his other volunteer house hears of this they should stop him as well. He may have been rehabilitated, but he gave up his rights to certain privileges.
# posted by : February 7, 2008 7:25 PM
: February 7, 2008 7:25 PM
Dave, I bet that if this person was not a firefighter but just some hoodlum , that set a fire and it killed a fireman , all of these people would want to throw him away in jail. My how the tables turn , when he is your so called buddy.
# posted by : February 7, 2008 7:33 PM
: February 7, 2008 7:33 PM
Dave,
I have to agree with many of these post's. In the internet picture he is wearing a SCBA bottle which would lead me to believe that he has a mask issued to him by the county. You really need to look into how background checks are being carried out by the county FD. This is something that the volunteer system has always relied on to weed people out that do not meet the qualifications. This again goes to show the lack of leadership at the top of PG Fire/EMS Department. Unfortunately the details in a organization like this do matter. Chief Sedgewick needs to be held accountable for his departments failures. It is time for a new chief to shake things up this "new scandal every 3 months" thing is getting a little old. And I really hope when Mr. Johnson has finally had enough that he will look for an outsider that has experience managing a combination department. Dave, keep up the good work you asking questions seems to be the only way things change or tough decisions are made(And that my friends is pretty sad).
I have to agree with many of these post's. In the internet picture he is wearing a SCBA bottle which would lead me to believe that he has a mask issued to him by the county. You really need to look into how background checks are being carried out by the county FD. This is something that the volunteer system has always relied on to weed people out that do not meet the qualifications. This again goes to show the lack of leadership at the top of PG Fire/EMS Department. Unfortunately the details in a organization like this do matter. Chief Sedgewick needs to be held accountable for his departments failures. It is time for a new chief to shake things up this "new scandal every 3 months" thing is getting a little old. And I really hope when Mr. Johnson has finally had enough that he will look for an outsider that has experience managing a combination department. Dave, keep up the good work you asking questions seems to be the only way things change or tough decisions are made(And that my friends is pretty sad).
# posted by : February 7, 2008 8:46 PM
: February 7, 2008 8:46 PM
Why wouldnt we let Mr. Queen back in to the fire service? After all, we let Marion Barry back in to public office.
# posted by : February 8, 2008 10:39 AM
: February 8, 2008 10:39 AM
Mr. Queen shuld not be allowed to fight fires. He blew it! This guy lacks morals, character, and values. He shuld have been honest and disclosed it himself. What kind of friend is he has not even given a statement of apology. He ran like the chicken he is! He left his fellow brothers (so-called) to figure this out for themselves. In all of this Mr. Queen knew he was a convicted arsonist and knew he shouls not have been there!
# posted by : February 8, 2008 12:44 PM
: February 8, 2008 12:44 PM
Dave,
Isn't funny how this has nothing to do with Kentland, NOTHING AT ALL, but some how it's all Kentland's fault.
I am by no means a Kentland, but how the hell do they play into this who story? People please tell me. Get off it already.
Isn't funny how this has nothing to do with Kentland, NOTHING AT ALL, but some how it's all Kentland's fault.
I am by no means a Kentland, but how the hell do they play into this who story? People please tell me. Get off it already.
# posted by : February 8, 2008 1:56 PM
: February 8, 2008 1:56 PM
Are you reading the same article? Kentland was not mentioned anywhere in Dave Statter's story.
# posted by : February 10, 2008 11:43 AM
: February 10, 2008 11:43 AM
kentland was mentioned by one of their own!!!as with all the post's on this site kentland gets brought up by someone from kentland.they always seem to be named anonymous!do you know him?if you do tell him to man up and post his name and then you will know.contrary to the beliefs of their membership there are other things going on in the county.and frankly i think it would be nice if we didnt hear from the crybabies FOR ONCE!!!!!pat maine.
# posted by : February 10, 2008 4:46 PM
: February 10, 2008 4:46 PM
This story is about the broken PGFD background check process and the ineffective commuincations process between PGFD and Volunteer corporations.
As one poster already commented, Mr. Queen has a facepiece/regulator, that were likely issued by PGFD (unless is was acquired by other means). If thats the case, he had to complete a series of tasks in order to be issued a facepiece/regulator, fit test, CPR, EMT-B, annual refreshers...they all must be valid and signed off by PGFD for him to be issued a facepiece/regulator. None of these tasks should have been completed if an adequate background check had been completed that identified Mr. Queen had a prior arson conviction. That responsibility lies with PGFD. PGFD should be held accountable.
How many volunteers have heard stories of applicants being denied membership due to issues of much less significance that Mr. Queen? How about an applicant that has a government issued top secret clearance, but they have been denied membership as a volunteer in PGFD? Something is outta whack with the background check process!!
As a former Volunteer chief in PGFD, believe me, if PGFD wants to communicate disciplinary action against a Volunteer/Career FF, there is official protocol that must be followed. I am not getting a warm and fuzzy via your reporting that this was indeed followed. If propoer protocol was not followed, PGFD should be held accountable.
I have long believed, and still do to this day, the only way for PGFD to move forward is to do exactly what a previous poster suggested, initiate a country-wide search for an accomplished fire chief (or asst., deputy etc.) who has the experience/credentials to run a multi-million dollar public safety organization. Biased and tainted candidates from within PGFD do us (Volunteers) NO justice and don't have our (Volunteers) best interests at heart.
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As one poster already commented, Mr. Queen has a facepiece/regulator, that were likely issued by PGFD (unless is was acquired by other means). If thats the case, he had to complete a series of tasks in order to be issued a facepiece/regulator, fit test, CPR, EMT-B, annual refreshers...they all must be valid and signed off by PGFD for him to be issued a facepiece/regulator. None of these tasks should have been completed if an adequate background check had been completed that identified Mr. Queen had a prior arson conviction. That responsibility lies with PGFD. PGFD should be held accountable.
How many volunteers have heard stories of applicants being denied membership due to issues of much less significance that Mr. Queen? How about an applicant that has a government issued top secret clearance, but they have been denied membership as a volunteer in PGFD? Something is outta whack with the background check process!!
As a former Volunteer chief in PGFD, believe me, if PGFD wants to communicate disciplinary action against a Volunteer/Career FF, there is official protocol that must be followed. I am not getting a warm and fuzzy via your reporting that this was indeed followed. If propoer protocol was not followed, PGFD should be held accountable.
I have long believed, and still do to this day, the only way for PGFD to move forward is to do exactly what a previous poster suggested, initiate a country-wide search for an accomplished fire chief (or asst., deputy etc.) who has the experience/credentials to run a multi-million dollar public safety organization. Biased and tainted candidates from within PGFD do us (Volunteers) NO justice and don't have our (Volunteers) best interests at heart.
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