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To: San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White and Fire Commission President Francee Covington

SF Fire Chief Hayes-White: embrace innovation, reverse the reprimand

After Asiana Airlines flight 214 crashed on landing at San Francisco International Airport a mystery ensued. A 16-year old passenger from China had been apparently killed once she escaped the cabin. It was determined that she sustained fatal injuries from being run over by a fire rig when it re-positioned on the foam soaked runway to douse the burning fuselage. Battalion Chief Mark Johnston’s personal helmet-mounted cam revealed the accident. It stands to reason such documented footage would be invaluable for emergency response learning just like a plane’s black box is used to dissect crashes. Reason does not always prevail. San Francisco Fire Department Chief Joanne Hayes-White condemned the use of the unauthorized recording device as an invasion of privacy citing a vague department policy. Several days later she seemed to backtrack a bit. Now she has reportedly reprimanded Battalion Chief Johnson with disciplinary action. It’s time for Chief Hayes-White to reverse the reprimand, embrace truth and welcome innovative efforts to document and learn from firefighting actions. Chief, get with the program or get out of the way.

Why is this important?

The Fire Chief has made an egregious mistake. She’s punishing the Battalion Chief because he revealed an unfortunate accident that will likely cost the city in liability. He should be praised for his innovation and pursuit of the the truth.