Augusta firefighters speak out about 'flawed' investigation, claim fire trucks are unsafe (2024)

Augusta firefighters involved in two crashes in January are appealing their suspensions, citing supposed errors in the investigation report, alleged inaccuracies in the data analysis and a so-called conflict of interest in the third-party investigation.

The investigative report, outlining the January crashes that cost the city about $1 million in damages, placed blame on the firefighters driving the vehicles and their supervisors.

However, appeals submitted by firefighter Anthony Harris and Capt. Richard Johnson, who were riding in ladder truck 501 when it overturned Jan. 17 on Washington Road, allege a number of flaws in the investigation.

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Johnson, who has been with the department for 29 years, wrote in his appeal he believes Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden was pressured by the Augusta Commission and "relied upon misinformation from the investigation."

The seasoned firefighter, was given a six-day suspension, equivalent to 144 hours, despite the fact that he was not driving the truck when it overturned. The initial report recommended a two-day suspension for Johnson and a one-day suspension for Harris.

Harris, a four-year veteran with the department who was driving the truck at the time of crash, received a four-day suspension, equivalent to 96 hours.

Augusta firefighter feeling 'confused and misled'

In Harris's appeal, he noted that the investigation led him to "question my sanity despite by clear understanding of the events."

An alleged flaw he noted was that the calculation to determine the speed of the truck when it overturned was incorrect. Investigators found the truck was traveling 62 mph in a 45-mph zone. Harris claims the actual speed was 45.34 mph, which corroborates his statement about going the speed limit at the time of the crash.

A video of the incident taken by a nearby business' security camera shows the truck entering the on-ramp and beginning to lose control with several wheels elevated on one side of the truck.

While the investigation found speeding was the cause of the crash, Harris points to the absence of operational brake retarders as a mitigating factor.

"Brake retarders are crucial as they offer additional stopping power and effectively reduce the risk of brake fade, which is the primary reason for their invention," he wrote. "This investigation appears to selectively choose which information to provide, raising concerns about its impartiality and thoroughness."

The truck also lacked an engine brake, according to Johnson.

Harris noted there also was a long-standing issue with an air leak in the truck's brakes. Attached to the appeal were apparatus checks for ladder truck 501 that indicate firefighters reported air break leaks on Nov. 9, Nov. 30, Dec. 6, Dec. 12 and Dec. 18 in 2022, and on Sept. 16 and Sept. 19 in 2021.

Harris noted that during the crash he had the brakes pressed all the way to the floor and nothing was happening, which he said indicates the brake system locked due to low air pressure.

"I have been truthful with all my statements from the beginning," Harris wrote in the appeal. "However, I have faced pressure from the fire department administration, compelling me to sign paperwork that falsely portrays the accident as entirely my fault. Throughout the investigation, there were instances where I felt confused and misled."

Augusta Fire declined to comment or answer any questions about the investigation.

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Issues with maintenance reporting

Harris claims the department's maintenance reporting system that handles work orders, Faster Reporting, has not been functioning properly. He said instead of using the system, work orders were sent directly to the shop manager via email. He alleged that those entries were not included in the investigation.

In Johnson's appeal, he noted that the "Faster reporting system has not been functioning properly for the last couple of years ... ."

It is unclear when the system, which was put in place about eight years ago, allegedly began to malfunction. Augusta Fire declined to comment on the system or any ongoing maintenance issues.

'Glaring conflict of interest' in inspection

In the investigation report, Augusta Fire stated it used an independent company, Ten-8, to inspect ladder truck 501 after the crash. Emails included in the investigation report from Ten-8 noted that the company told the department they were not qualified to handle accident recreations or post-incident investigations.

On Jan. 31, Ten-8 sent a service associate from Forsyth to inspect the truck. In his report, he noted the forward axle in the back of the truck had new brakes, which were replaced at the company's Forsyth location.

Harris claimed there was a "glaring conflict of interest" because Ten-8 had worked on the truck's brakes, according to the appeal.