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Firefighter Cuffed for Refusing to Move Responder-Protecting Fire Engine
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Associated Press
February 24, 2010
MONTECITO, Calif.—The California Highway Patrol is investigating why a firefighter was handcuffed for refusing to move a fire engine from a freeway in Santa Barbara County.
CHP Capt. Jeff Sgobba says the incident on Feb. 15 was rare, regrettable and embarrassing.
The confrontation took place in Montecito when CHP officers responded to a freeway crash that caused minor injuries.
Sgobba says arriving Montecito firefighters blocked the fast lane with an engine to shield responding authorities from traffic.
Sgobba says a CHP officer ordered the rig moved and handcuffed a fire battalion chief who refused. The firefighter was released when a CHP supervisor arrived a short time later.
No charges have been filed.
