BARRY SEES `OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK' INTERIM FIRE CHIEF FACES CHALLENGE OF REFORMING LAFD.Byline: KERRY CAVANAUGH Staff Writer Just a few weeks ago, Douglas Barry planned to work another year or so as an assistant Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. fire chief before easing into a well-deserved retirement. Then came the call from the Los Angeles Mayor's Office, asking him to consider another scenario. Newly appointed interim chief, the 53-year-old veteran firefighter now is charged with reforming the Los Angeles Fire Department The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), also known as the Los Angeles City Fire Department to distinguish it from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Los Angeles. and using discipline and professionalism to restore its tarnished image. ``I had no aspiration aspiration /as·pi·ra·tion/ (as?pi-ra´shun) 1. the drawing of a foreign substance, such as the gastric contents, into the respiratory tract during inhalation. 2. to be chief,'' Barry said in an interview Monday. ``When I was approached about the appointment, I saw an opportunity to help make the department better. The department has been so great to me, with the experiences I've had and the people I've met. I saw an opportunity to give back.'' When he assumes the top spot on Jan. 1, Barry will be taking over a department renowned for its emergency response and professional expertise, but demoralized de·mor·al·ize tr.v. de·mor·al·ized, de·mor·al·iz·ing, de·mor·al·iz·es 1. To undermine the confidence or morale of; dishearten: an inconsistent policy that demoralized the staff. by tales of firehouse antics antics Noun, pl absurd acts or postures [Italian antico something grotesque (from fantastic carvings found in ruins of ancient Rome)] antics plural noun and allegations of racial discrimination and sexual harassment sexual harassment, in law, verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature, aimed at a particular person or group of people, especially in the workplace or in academic or other institutional settings, that is actionable, as in tort or under equal-opportunity statutes. . A low-key and highly respected leader, Barry was tasked by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. to hold firefighters responsible for their conduct, and to ensure that mutual respect is ingrained in·grained adj. 1. Firmly established; deep-seated: ingrained prejudice; the ingrained habits of a lifetime. 2. in the firehouse culture. ``The type of behaviors that brought this to the attention of the public has to stop,'' Barry said. ``I look at a Fortune 500 company -- that wouldn't have pranks and hazing Hazing is an often ritualistic test and a task, which may constitute harassment, abuse or humiliation with requirements to perform random, often meaningless tasks, sometimes as a way of initiation into a social group. going on. ``The expectation is the same with the Fire Department.'' But he was quick to add that the vast majority of Los Angeles firefighters do not participate in pranks or hazing -- comments that won him praise from individual firefighters and their union. ``The rank and file felt that nobody was stepping forward to say that 99 percent of us are doing a good job. The problems are real, but they're not rampant,'' said Jon McDuffie, first vice president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City. ``If ever there is a person who gets it, it's Chief Barry. He's got that quiet leadership down. Don't take that kindness for weakness.'' Villaraigosa tapped Barry to take over for Chief William Bamattre, who announced his early retirement amid heavy criticism from city leaders who said he'd failed to quash hazing and other disciplinary problems during his decade at the head of the department. As pressure on him mounted, Bamattre complained that his disciplinary authority was limited and he couldn't take the kind of action needed to end the inappropriate behavior and harassment Ask a Lawyer Question Country: United States of America State: Nevada I recently moved to nev.from abut have been going back to ca. every 2 to 3 weeks for med. . Barry, who worked in the LAFD's discipline system for five years, said he'll be helped by guidelines developed by the civilian Fire Commission that spell out punishments for infractions, plus new procedures for investigating complaints. He and the mayor have already said they plan to visit each of the city's fire stations to meet with firefighters about the new standards. Barry said he also hopes to develop a long-term strategy after meeting with the firefighters' groups, the mayor's staff, the Fire Commission and the City Council. ``Our goal is not to have this punishment system. Our goal is to change the mind-set of our people who participate in those types of behaviors, and let them know those types of behaviors are unacceptable and also let them know the detrimental effects of those types of behaviors,'' he said. kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com (213) 978-0390 |
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