ATLANTA : An elderly woman lost her life in a house fire in west Atlanta last June, and a firefighter who tried to save her is facing suspension due to an alleged protocol breach. The Atlanta Fire Department responded to the fire and faced challenging conditions, including heavy smoke and “burglar bars” that hindered entry into the 95-year-old Sally Skrine’s home. Despite these obstacles, Captain Daniel Thomas Dwyer made a courageous decision to enter the burning building in an attempt to rescue Skrine. Tragically, Skrine was found unconscious on the dining room floor, and resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. Now, eight months later, Dwyer has been informed that he will be suspended without pay for four days.
The fire department officials claim that the suspension is intended to reinforce safety and order. According to the “notice of final adverse action” complaint, Dwyer’s entry into the structure without his team members goes against the principles of accountability, maintaining crew integrity, and avoiding freelancing. However, the head of the firefighter union, Paul Gerdis, believes that the disciplinary action sends the wrong message. Gerdis told WXIA that punishing a fire captain for an act of valor contradicts the oath that firefighters swear to uphold. Dwyer has appealed the decision, but the union anticipates a lengthy process that could take years. In addition to the suspension, the fire command has ordered Dwyer’s pay to be docked for 48 hours, as reported by WAGA.
