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Fights mar Schenectady firefighters' holiday party
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
By Kathleen Moore (Contact)
Gazette Reporter


Two fights broke out last week during Schenectady firefighters' holiday party — one minor tussle and then a large one that included tables and chairs being thrown around the Van Dyck Restaurant banquet room, according to witnesses....

I just saw this and don't have access to the online edition..................anybody hear about it?

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

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By Kathleen MooreFights mar Schenectady firefighters' holiday party
SCHENECTADY — Two fights broke out last week during Schenectady firefighters' holiday party — one minor tussle and then a large one that included tables and chairs being thrown around the Van Dyck Restaurant banquet room, according to witnesses.

Fire Chief Michael Della Rocco said he plans to discipline at least two firefighters for their part in the fracas, but no one will be fired. He said he didn’t believe the fight led to damaging blows.

“As far as I know, nobody was hurt,” he said.

A firefighter said the fight began when one firefighter insulted all of the members of Platoon One. A member of that platoon responded by attacking him.

It came near the end of a long party in which there was an open bar. The party was sponsored by the firefighters’ union.

Della Rocco has begun the process of interviewing every witness before he makes a decision about how to discipline those involved.

“Even though this was an off-duty incident, I take it very seriously,” he said. “I don’t want to minimize it. We hold our firefighters to a higher standard.”

No firefighter is likely to be terminated, he said, explaining that he doesn’t believe their action rises to that level. Suspensions or a loss of vacation time are possible, however, he said.

“If there is any departmental discipline that can be applied, that will happen, I assure you,” he said. “There’s no ‘probably’ about it. I expect it will happen.”

Della Rocco needs to interview many firefighters before meting out punishment.

“It’s probably going to take me until after the Christmas holidays to talk to everyone, due to vacations,” he said.

The managers of the Van Dyck did not return calls.

Thanks...................so do we lump the chair throwing firefighters in with the egg throwing cops?  

(YAWN)

I honestly could care less if there was a fight that involved off duty firefighters....at a private party. They were insulting one another and attacked one another. They did not attack or provoke an innocent buy stander....didn't have a gun, didn't flee from an accident, didn't get paid for not working....and they are not in a law enforcement profession!!

Someone convince me why I should care.

Unadulterated Schenectady/Facebook

It seems in all professions these days.....disagreements are bound to happen....bullying is a part of adulthood too

and that is just what this was.....making fun of another "brother".....then there is no brotherhood outside the "station" on offtime.

....it seems the stresses of everyday issues gets to a boiling point...

Kiss and make up, I say.....

this too, shall pass

You want fierce firefighters and policemen. I wouldn't mind the shenanigans if the salaries and retirements weren't so lavish.  

Maybe they got the Van Dyke's infamous lobster pizza? Much ado about nothing. Back in the day this minor scuffle would not be reported.

Go figure.

It happens at the place that the taxpayers TWICE BAILED OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

haha haha .. first u complain that the NP does not cover anything and then you complain that it does... what is it with you whackjob wallach?

So if the ambulance shows up, is this a frivolous call? Who pays the fee...they ARE City employees?

The NP must be the flyer on the insane asylum bulletin board.

wtf are u babbling about once again wackowallach>? y