STLFF12's Blog

Elbert Walton and Joe Washington are alleging that the dispatchers from North Central Dispatch did not properly do their job and that the Normandy Police Chief is lying.  The Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri take great exception to both of those assertions, and fully support the men and women of North Central Dispatch, Normandy Police Department, and in particular the Professional Fire Fighters of the Normandy Fire District.

We are urging members of the media to contact North Central Dispatch and request the actual tape of the 911 call and subsequent emergency radio traffic as well as the run report that details the unit times and call location.  The tape and report will clearly show that the dispatchers did and said what they were supposed to do, that the Normandy police department did what they were supposed to do, that the Normandy Fire District Engine Company staffed with experienced, Professional Fire Fighters did what they were supposed to do, but that Joe Washington and Elbert Walton's people failed miserably to do anything close to what they should have done. 

The citizens of Normandy and the surrounding communities deserve quality emergency services.  Instead of focusing on retaining competent, experienced employees who are dedicated to the community they serve, the Normandy Board of Directors have focused their efforts on removing the very people upon whom the community can count.  Instead of building positive relationships with the law enforcement agencies and emergency dispatchers with whom they must work, Elbert Walton and Joe Washington are disparaging the employees at the North Central Dispatch Center and the Normandy Police Department in an effort to cover up the gross incompetence of the people they have put in place.

The following is a breakdown of the dispatch times:

CALL #: F072250234

LOCATION: Glen Echo Country Club, 3401 Lucas & Hunt Road

Original call taken on 08/13/07 at 20:22:35

UNIT #

DISPATCHED

EN ROUTE

ARRIVED ON SCENE

4717

20:23:40

20:25:23

20:37:36

4701

20:25:12

20:25:12

20:31:47

4724

20:26:22

20:27:27

20:28:57

Unit 4717 is the ambulance, Unit 4701 is the Deputy Chief, and Unit 4724 is the Engine Company.  4724 was not dispatched during the original alarm, and was not requested by the ambulance until almost three minutes into the call.  4724 took exactly 90 seconds to leave the fire station and arrive on the scene.  All units responding were audibly given the correct location of the Glen Echo Country Club at 3401 Lucas and Hunt Road as well as receiving the dispatch information in writing over their laptop computers mounted in their fire apparatus.

The Professional Firefighters of Eastern Missouri are outraged by the gross lack of professionalism being displayed by the Chairman of the Normandy Board, Joe Washington and district attorney, Elbert Walton., and we are appalled by the incompetence being forced upon the citizens of this community.  Our organization prides itself on our member’s willingness to sacrifice for, and their ability to serve the citizens we protect.  Joe Washington and Elbert Walton’s blatant disregard for the residents of the Normandy Fire District is an egregious violation of the public trust placed in emergency responders.