Monday, November 26, 2012
Washington Township (Ohio) Firefighter Josef Tadijanac has filed a civil
suit against Jefferson Township-Bellville Fire Department and 3 of its personnel
for injuries he sustained while operating at a June 24 fire when he was
pinned between fire apparatus. The suit was filed against the JTBFD and
it's Chief Craig Roberts and Firefighters Scott Gerhart and Isaiah Finley.
Here are the
details:
FF Tadijanac arrived at the fire in Troy Township, where he was instructed
to assist in pumping/tanker ops. FF Tadijanac positioned himself at the rear of
Tanker 145, owned by the Troy Township FD. The vehicle owned by the defendant,
Jefferson Township-Bellville Fire Department Tanker 121, was positioned directly
behind Tanker 145. The intent was to transfer water from Tanker 121 to Tanker
145. Tanker 121 was being operated by defendants Gerhart and Finley when,
according to court documents, it suddenly moved forward, pinning FF
Tadijanac him between the two vehicles.
The lawsuit states FF Gerhart was the driver of Tanker 121 and was
operating the pumping system on Tanker 121 when it began to move forward. Finley
was assisting him. The lawsuit claims failure to properly operate and control
Tanker 121 and failure to properly maintain and inspect Tanker 121, and claims
the plaintiff’s injuries were the direct result of acts and omissions of the
Jefferson Township-Bellville Fire Department. The complaint claims the
firefighters were not properly trained.
As you may remember, FF Tadijanac suffered above-the-knee amputations,
organ system failures, vision loss and cognitive dysfunction, the suit alleges.
He has required multiple surgeries and ongoing medical care, and has endured
suffering, emotional distress and anxiety, all of which have rendered him
disabled and unable to perform customary activities. We'll keep you advised on
this case.
==DRIVER REMINDERS: Do a
walk around...make sure the wheels are chocked...make sure the truck in the
correct gear position....brake secure?
==CHIEF REMINDERS: What
training exists for new drivers? Who certifies it? What are the annual driver
training requirements? Who are the SOP's related to apparatus?
