Georgia Fire Department Is The Focus Of A Major Investigation

Posted by: Curt Varone February 12, 2013 1 Comment

The Columbus, Georgia Fire Department is at the center of a probe being conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Search warrants have been executed and WTVM is reporting that the investigation is related to a fire in a daycare center that killed a one year old child.

The District Attorney’s Office released the following statement:

“On Tuesday, February 12, 2013 GBI agents served a search warrant for specific records and documentation maintained at Columbus Fire Department Headquarters in Downtown Columbus, Georgia with the assistance of investigators from the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. Agents also began conducting interviews with specific department employees and members of the command staff.

“These actions were taken as part of an ongoing GBI investigation being conducted at the request of District Attorney Julia Slater. District Attorney Slater requested GBI assistance after receiving information indicating that department employees may have committed criminal acts involving the creation, maintenance and accuracy of official reports and documents.

“The search and interviews are part of an ongoing effort to establish what occurred if criminal conduct was involved. The investigation is active and no other information is being released at this time.”
WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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