Firefighters accused of drinking and damaging Texas hotel while in COVID-19 quarantine
Four employees of the New Braunfels Fire Department who quarantined in a hotel in April after a possible coroanvirus exposure caused almost $20,000 in damages to the hotel they were staying in, city officials say.
Three of the firefighters were disciplined and the firefighter who caused the damage resigned from the department, KENS 5 reported. Records obtained by the station showed that vodka was delivered to the hotel room and at least two of the employees consumed mixed drinks.
The firefighters were given the option to stay in the hotel to expose family and friends and were considered to be on duty during the quarantine, authorities said.
“While on duty and responding to a medical emergency call back in April, several firefighters had a possible exposure to COVID-19,” New Braunfels City Manager Robert Camareno said in a statement to KENS 5. “The incident in question, where alcohol was consumed and water damage occurred to the hotel, happened during the quarantine period at the hotel, where the employees were still considered on duty per city policy.
“A total of three firefighters have since received disciplinary action. A fourth firefighter, who was responsible for the damage to the hotel, resigned prior to the completion of the administrative investigation.”
Records show that the firefighter who resigned, ran a bath and then accidentally fell asleep, Camareno said, the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung reported.
KXAN reported that the city was left with an almost $20,000 tab due to the damage and that the Texas Municipal League paid an additional $10,000 “through their risk pool.”
When responding to the call that resulted in the firefighters beingquarantined, the firefighters weren’t using the “proper personal protective equipment.”
“The firefighters were wearing PPE at the medical emergency but it was not the appropriate PPE for a possible COVID response,” city spokesperson David Ferguson told KXAN. “This resulted in a possible exposure to COVID-19. Proper PPE was available and the failure to use it was considered when determining disciplinary action.”
Camareno told KXAN that no further action will be taken in regards to the incident.
“The choices made by these firefighters are disappointing, but those actions should not reflect on the culture, professionalism, and commitment of the New Braunfels Fire Department or the City of New Braunfels.”