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Two Firefighters Lose Jobs Over Hazing
Two Florida firefighters have been fired and four others were either suspended or demoted for their alleged roles in a hazing incident involving a female colleague.
Justin Parrinello and Chris Meyer were both fired this week, according to officials in Coral Springs, Florida.
Parrinello had been with the department since November 1999; Meyer had been a fire inspector since August 2000.
City officials said Parrinello left his zone without notifying dispatch to participate in the hazing, during which he wore a hood.
Meyer wore a ski mask when he bound Krystyna Krakowski's ankles with plastic handcuffs during the incident, according to city documents.
Two department lieutenants, Michael Matz and John Agostinelli, both were demoted to the rank of firefighter/paramedic and were suspended for 144 hours. Both men will lose about $5,000 in salary annually because of the loss of rank.
Firefighters Dan Doherty and Damon France were both issued 96-hour suspensions.
"There is no excuse for this egregious behavior," city manager Michael Levinson said. "And there's no substitute for common sense, respect and professional judgment."
The 28-year-old Krakowski, a probationary firefighter, was sleeping in the bunkroom of fire station No. 71 on Feb. 22 when she was awoken by five male co-workers, four of whom wore hooded masks, police said.
A blanket was thrown over Krakowski's head, her ankles were bound and attempts were made to bind her wrists, police said. The men allegedly fled when Krakowski began struggling.
No criminal charges will be filed against any of the men involved.
"She feels bad these people lost their jobs, but it wasn't her decision," said Krakowski's attorney, Joe Carter. "She is sorry the whole thing happened."
The six male firefighters had been on paid suspension since April 22. Krakowski, who declined interview requests, was on administrative leave before returning to work May 7.
"There are really no winners in this whole thing," said Lt. Chris Bator, president of Coral Springs Local 3080. "Krystyna is a member of our union and she is affected and the other guys were great employees for many years and they have saved a lot of lives. It's unfortunate for everybody. The fire department and city of Coral Springs both lose."
Two Florida firefighters have been fired and four others were either suspended or demoted for their alleged roles in a hazing incident involving a female colleague.
Justin Parrinello and Chris Meyer were both fired this week, according to officials in Coral Springs, Florida.
Parrinello had been with the department since November 1999; Meyer had been a fire inspector since August 2000.
City officials said Parrinello left his zone without notifying dispatch to participate in the hazing, during which he wore a hood.
Meyer wore a ski mask when he bound Krystyna Krakowski's ankles with plastic handcuffs during the incident, according to city documents.
Two department lieutenants, Michael Matz and John Agostinelli, both were demoted to the rank of firefighter/paramedic and were suspended for 144 hours. Both men will lose about $5,000 in salary annually because of the loss of rank.
Firefighters Dan Doherty and Damon France were both issued 96-hour suspensions.
"There is no excuse for this egregious behavior," city manager Michael Levinson said. "And there's no substitute for common sense, respect and professional judgment."
The 28-year-old Krakowski, a probationary firefighter, was sleeping in the bunkroom of fire station No. 71 on Feb. 22 when she was awoken by five male co-workers, four of whom wore hooded masks, police said.
A blanket was thrown over Krakowski's head, her ankles were bound and attempts were made to bind her wrists, police said. The men allegedly fled when Krakowski began struggling.
No criminal charges will be filed against any of the men involved.
"She feels bad these people lost their jobs, but it wasn't her decision," said Krakowski's attorney, Joe Carter. "She is sorry the whole thing happened."
The six male firefighters had been on paid suspension since April 22. Krakowski, who declined interview requests, was on administrative leave before returning to work May 7.
"There are really no winners in this whole thing," said Lt. Chris Bator, president of Coral Springs Local 3080. "Krystyna is a member of our union and she is affected and the other guys were great employees for many years and they have saved a lot of lives. It's unfortunate for everybody. The fire department and city of Coral Springs both lose."
