Assistant fire chief is charged in hit-run

To the general public in this forum.

The posters who identify themselves to be Los Angeles City firemen in this forum do not represent what a Los Angeles City firemen should be and in fact are required to be. It's really too bad the regular posters in here who claim to be Los Angeles City firemen are in violation of several standards set forth by the Code of Conduct and the Rules and Regulations of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Don't let these guys in here make you think any less of those firefighters who do honor the oaths they took and do follow the Code of Conduct on and off duty.

LAFD Code of Conduct
"It is the responsibility of each individual to observe the letter and spirit of the Rules and Regulations in the performance of their duties and to remain vigilant to the code of conduct on and off duty."

it further states,
"You are expected to act with these principles in mind at all times. This is a responsibility of working at one of the finest professional fire departments in the world."

"Breaches of the code of conduct will be dealt with in accordance with the disciplinary system and guidelines. Enforcement and implementation of the disciplinary process address personal and professional accountability and the reinforcement of ethical behavior. It is expected that in the course of their work every employee exercise self-discipline deserving of the respect and admiration of the citizens we serve and our fellow members."

I urge each of you to write a letter of complaint to the Board of Fire Commissioners, the Mayor, Fire Chief Douglas Barry and United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC).

As citizens of Los Angeles we deserve better than these few embarrassing, insulting firemen in here who should be held accountable for their behavior, it's no wonder the fire department is such a mess.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
mayor@lacity.org
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
200 North Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

The City of Los Angeles Fire Department is overseen by a five person civilian Board appointed by the Mayor and affirmed by the City Council. Pursuant of the City Charter, this esteemed group establishes goals and provides direction to the Department through Fire Chief Douglas Barry.

Genethia Hudley-Hayes - Commission President
Casimiro U. Tolentino - Commission Vice President
Diana Bontá- Commissioner
Andrew Friedman - Commissioner
Jill Furillo - Commissioner
http://lafd.org/comm.htm

Board of Fire Commissioners
Los Angeles Fire Department
200 North Main Street, Room 1840
Los Angeles, CA 90012 USA

Chief Barry
LAFD Headquarters

Steve Tufts
UFLAC
President - Local 112
http://www.uflac.org/index.cfm...

LAFD Code of Conduct
http://www.lacity.org/lafd/lafdreportarchv/la...

“san_pedro_local” Yes you would like to shut the people up in this forum and yes there are rules about firemen openly discussing the embarrassing things about our organization in public. For the last 20 years Officers were “NOT” disciplined the same as the firemen, while the firemen were told to shut up and read the rules.(just like your doing right now..it’s called intimidation under the threat of retaliation)

I think the board of fire commissioners under the guidance of Genethia Hudley-Hayes, would use this blog as a tool to better understand the organization and its problems rather than what you suggest the old school threat of shutting up the troops.

“san_pedro_local”“your such a Chief” Note to the taxpayers who are reading this blog can you imagine what it is like to deal with people who would rather cover up the problem than fix it ! 9 out of 10 Chief Officers on the LAFD are just like “san_pedro_local” and that is a conservative estimate!

Genethia Hudley-Hayes,
If you do get a chance to read this blog here is some food for thought. If the LAFD had an internal blog just think of how fast you could gather enough info to weed out your bad apples.

MR Chief “ san_pedro_local “, you need to focus on the real problem not the men chatting about the problem.

Here are another fireman’s words cpoied from this blog.

Had the opportunity to experience this man's double standards so many times during this career. Well here it comes again. Trying really hard not to jump to conclusions and need to get the facts. Wondering why this has been kept under wraps since Nov 2007???? How hard was it for Chief Barry and the admin. to deliver "Integrity" training to the troops when one of their own was making false and misleading statements to LAPD(conspiracy). If all of this is true.....can you say litmus test for the new disciplinary policy? If he remains on the job, the new policy has no teeth. A good reputation takes a very long time to build and about 5 minutes to have it ripped apart.

Chief Franco....thanks for the following:

-Destroying Public Trust in LAFD
-Damaging LAFD Reputation
-Damaging LAPD Trust of LAFD
-Setting a poor example of a Chief Officer
-Damaging rank and file relations with Chief Officers

With all of the negative PR that we have received in the last five years.....this was the last thing we needed.

If all of this is true....It's time to take your AC Pension(Moral Turpitude?) and leave this job with your tail between your legs.

Well said! Nepotism and a double standard is bad for the morale of an otherwise fantastic job. Are we a fire family or a corporation?

I submit the rules and reg.'s are there to discipline those with problems equally and without prejudice. The bond between firefighters is something citizens and some chief's will never get to enjoy.

Your friends...there in a time of need. Nothing like it. The hat passed around the kitchen table, to help a family member with cancer...it pulls at my heartstrings. A workparty to help a widow put in a wheelchair.

But wait I can count the Chief's who care on two hands!

san pedro local...did you ever hear of the gestapo? The rules and regs can be used for some evil deeds too. We need the rules/reg.'s to set the standard, but we need leaders first, to set the example.

Ever heard of a witch hunt? There's chief's looking for guys with tattoo's showing. If a chief does not like me...is he going to search me for tattoo's?

WHERE IS YOUR LOYALTY? Some chief's dept/family/public/firefighter s, in that order. We know Franco's loyalty. Sadly the public is usually last.

San Pedro Local, I swore an oath to the citizens. Shedding light on a problem does not bring discredit.

I am ashamed of behavior like Franco's, and those sweeping it under the rug. Which brings more discredit?

rule one,,, dont cover up a hit and run. dont you watch CSI

san_pedro_local are you still drinking in one of your bars?

I miss you. san_pedro_local
Your "chief officer" view point makes this blog interesting….
Sort of shows the public where you keep your head

Though I'm not a firefighter, I work for the city of Los Angeles, and I have respect for most firefighters. It is NOT one rank or another that are causing the problems. There are selfish people in all walks of life...and all levels of the fire dept.
This is a matter of a few selfish people, who have the arrogance to think that regular rules don't apply to them, that they deserve something special and different than other people.
Mr. Franco is one example of that. Another example I recently heard of is a captain named Jim Cappon. He was investigated by the fire department, for at the very least, improper training, at most, conduct unbecoming of an officer, or harassment. What he did was push certain members of the department in an unsafe way to train strenously in excessive heat, in full gear, repeatedly in an effort to "break" someone he thought wouldn't fit in.
He was brought up on charges by the fire department, and due to a weak panel of investigators, he got off. You would think that he would be happy to get away with it, and leave it at that. But NOW he is sueing the city, saying that HE was harassed when the fire department investigated his improper training techniques.
Who is paying for the city attorney, the new investigators, and everything that goes along with a court case when someone sues the city? US!! He's still making his $90K a year, was never fined or penalized for what he did wrong, and NOW he wants US to give him more money? ENOUGH!!!

Does anybody know if everything has been swept under the "carpet" ?

lafd member wrote:

Does anybody know if everything has been swept under the "carpet" ?

It appears that is exactly what has happened. Shameful situation, business as usual.

After reading and hearing about Mr. Franco's conduct and judgement regarding an accident on the streets of San Pedro, I have come to the conclusion that he has made another fatal judgement call: if he would have made all of the witnesses honorary LA County Firefighters, then everybody would have had the same story and Mr. Franco would be on his way to the next fire.

Arrogant People wrote: "This is a matter of a few selfish people, who have the arrogance to think that regular rules don't apply to them,"

This may be at the heart of the matter -

just take a look at Franco's property at 1735 S. Centre Street in San Pedro - a laundry list of neglect. Was that Mr. Franco we saw driving a new car?...at what price? Can anyone spell slum lord?

This Asst. Fire Chief has proven to be boldly irresponsible, and has passed this code of conduct on to the next generation. Every person on the planet (regardless of rank, race, age or income) is given opportunities in life to come down to earth, be truthful, make ammends to the community, and show the kids how its done - Forgiveness is golden.

What is the status on the criminal charges filed against Assistant Chief Robert Franco, his wife and his son?

37th Street Neighbor wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi Bill,
Just so you know, the city/states that are posted are not necessarily where the comments are coming from. I live in San Pedro, but my postings come up with different cities (no control on my part).

I grew up here in San Pedro and remember going to school with Franco..Iwas amazed that he accomplished so much in his life and then I was suprised that he tried to cover for his son in such a way..I don't think he needs to lose his job.But he doesn't need to get away with it either. He's a good Fireman for Godsakes and we will always need good Firemen.

Was Franco charged with a crime as of yet?

What's going on with the Chief Franco case?

All three have pled not guilty. Their attorneys have asked for multiple continuances. They are due in court again next week. A new city attorney has recently been assigned to the case.

We hope the Daily Breeze will report on the court appearance next week.