WASHINGTON — A D.C. fire lieutenant accused of neglect of duty after a child choked to death on grapes last year did not show up to his disciplinary hearing Wednesday.
Fox5DC.com reported Lt. Guy Valentine’s attorney told fire officials he had officially retired and could no longer be disciplined for his actions.
The incident occurred last March when a call came in that a child was choking on grapes. Lt. Valentine heard the call go out but did not respond — despite being just three blocks away. Valentine told investigators he did not respond because he was not dispatched.
A new GPS system had become disconnected and 911 dispatchers were unaware the rig was at the station, according to the report. A crew from over a mile away responded and took 10 minutes to arrive at the house.
"(The charges) are not fair or reasonable,” Brian Bregman, Lt. Valentine’s attorney, said. “Lt. Valentine did everything he was supposed to do … you can’t self-dispatch. The system failed. The lieutenant never had any problems on the job before and he cannot be held responsible for system failures.”
Regulations to prevent firefighters from retiring while facing misconduct charges were recently put in place in D.C.
Amy Mauro, the department’s chief of staff, said Valentine’s retirement is conditional and his benefits will not be paid until the outcome of the discipline hearing is decided.