Note in the video around the 10:00 mark- her fire chief can't even make sure their smoke alarms are properly mounted? Top right, it's hanging by the wiring.
she was a joke....melton opened the door behind her while she was talking!!! she said in so many words, "he encroached on our egos, who does he think he is"
And who else really, is going in to help.....everything i hear is all help re getting to remote people.....is all civilian....every single bit. some just learned how to bypass FEMA to get mass supplies to different areas, chainsaws (who needs fema to run chainsaws when tens of thousands know how to use), food, water, every level of support.
Yup, they can’t manage their way out of a paper sack. The FAA should be put on the carpet for their overreach. Helicopters are expensive to own and maintain and you have a private citizen that is willing to spend their own money to help people and you mistreat them. These people know no shame and should be shown the door.
The fire cheif that caused this whole situation literally opens the door at 9:40. He was absolutely available to comment on his own actions, but the city was too afraid of any form of actual blowback. Such cowards
I bet he is not only a coward, but also an aggressor. Given he is actually in the same building when she was doing that video interview, I wouldn't be surprised if he threaten her if she doesn't back him up.
Having been a firefighter for 21 years and a police officer before that, that city manager is full of it. The deputy Chief should be fired. That city manager should be fired. Both have no friggen idea of how to help in a situation. "Necessary Channels" is patent BULL!
@@gerber8915 I’m not misinterpreting anything, just making a joke. His sentence structure perfectly claims that the city manager was a firefighter, etc. We know what he meant. ✌️
Asst. Fire Chief Melton needs to get the hell out of Lake Lure. HE WILL NEVER BE FORGIVEN. He was more interested in Power Tripping than saving lives. FIRE HIM--FIRE THE CHIEF ABOVE HIM----FIRE THE TOWN MANAGER
"If you want to know someone's true character, place them in a position of power!" -lisa Grafton That manager tried to put lipstick on a pig! He's an asset fire chief, with no authority to arrest anyone! I'm so happy the helo pilot get the "training necessary to navigate in those dangerous areas", in less than 24 hours! The coward asst chief opened the door, during the interview, but "wasn't available to to do an interview"???
"Sir! Sir! You can't do that! You need a license to render aid to people in distress. You need to apply for a $40 provisional rescue permit at least 4 -8 weeks ahead of time from the South Carolina Office of Internal safety Measures. The permit must be renewed every 3 months and cannot be used out of state, and you must have at least 2 forms of I.D. proving you are a South Carolina resident and are certified in CPR. Sir! Sir! This is for everyone's saftey! Failure to provide a permit while rendering aid warrants a minimum fine of $500 and/or 6 months in county jail. Sir! Sir!"
Correct. Totally agree. She's trying to say only the government has the right to allow you into a disaster area when you're trying to save people and then when asked well did he receive any additional training cuz you guys were asking him back instead of saying we made a mistake. We should have just had him log in as help. She tries to say no he was in the wrong she needs to go
" I'm going to be the only one who rescues people... Even if that means people have to die" ... Yeah... We got that..Don't interfere with "you" getting the credit. Fire the Bozo Asst Chief.. there are easily more service minded and capable slot holders.
watching the fire who chief who wasn't available for comment poking his head through the door at 9:40 is like watching something out of a wes anderson movie
@@henrybutchy3242 Lots of govt employees (firefighters, police, FEMA) would rather watch someone die than be helped by an 'outsider', kinda like Kamala
These County officials are ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!🤢 ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!!!! Right down to the woman county spokesperson regurgitating this nauseating nonsense!!! There are NO excuses for their behavior!!! Local residents need to make sure these officials are removed from their positions!!!!
This girl doesn't belong in any type of position of authority. She's more concerned about her own department than she is about those who were in danger. If in fact they needed to 'coordinate', then fine. Take down pilot's info. Tell him who to notify. Give him a flight plan or whatever he needed. Rather than an arrest threat
Anyone notice ASST CHIEF CRAPPISTACHE popped his head in mid interview? You suppose he was there to fix the smoke detector dangling by its wires… ? Jerk
This assistant fire chief wanted to be the hero that day. He knew he had a chance at it and wasn't about to let anyone else steal his thunder. As a result, he let his GIANT EGO get in the way of actually becoming one. He's done at this job and most likely with any command job at any other department. As a public servant ego has zero place in the chain of command. Unfortunately for him, and more importantly, his own family, he's going to find that out, factually, the hard way. Good luck to him in his future endeavors.
That's no fire chief. I am a retired South African Chief Fire Officer and I can honestly say that this is a pure case of ego, based on jurisdictional jealousy. "How dare you rescue someone in such a flamboyant manner while we don't have helicopter resources of our own?" Instead of threatening the pilot, I would have welcomed him and provided all the support, including fuel, to assist in gaining an aerial overview of the disaster area, and assisting in rescues where possible. What a disgrace to the firefighting profession. And shame on the town officials for trying to excuse this behaviour.
@@nickgreen7312 I wouldn't say all but there's certainly more than a few. I have family who are firefighters and they're some of the most down to Earth people I know. The higher up the ladder you go, the worse the ego gets. The same goes for the police department.
Twenty-five plus years on the job as a Deputy Sheriff I will say this in the context of a natural disaster... I didn't realize "regular citizens" couldn't save lives. I didn't know a person needed "authorization" to save a life. I didn't know a person needed to provide "advanced notification" in order to save a life. Milton and the talking head from the City are a disgrace to Public Service.
True, but unfortunately, an all too real in the modern "we're the government and you must respect my authority" world. I'm not a believer in what BLM and Pantyfa are selling, but they are not wrong about the corrupt nature of local, state, and federal agencies.
Should watch some of the flood footage from a few years back. Guys with monster trucks down south are told to quit our face similar or fines. Prior to that they were getting people trapped in the roofs of their homes to safe ground.
Thank you again Jodi Barr for showing us citizens that we really need to start doing what we need to do to help one another. Be damned what the government says. We own the government.
So they're doubling down on their BS? Why does anyone need the city's permission to rescue stranded people? Absolutely absurd to turn away anyone who's willing to help, let alone someone with a helicopter.
@@heart_soul50 Who said anyone was a democrat. You are really reaching here Putin. If one uses their brain and looks at a district map of NC they will see that Western NC is completely red voting, Putin. So sounds like if you are seeking blame it should be on Republicans. Chuck Edwards, the REPUBLICAN Rep of that area, probably decided to take a page from Ted Cruz and flew to Cancun. 😆 See, YOU should not have brought politics into this.
I suspect that most of the civilian chopper pilots where either former military, or law enforcement. That Ass of a fire chief needs to be told, he does not have the authority to do what he did. Only the FAA can close air space.
the pilot is a deputy sheriff, former EMS, Firefighter, and a Marine vet with over 1400 flight hours in helicopters. he's more qualified than most of the rescue operators in the state.
"We'd rather have people die waiting for official help than see them rescued without our permission." - Lake Lure Town Manager Olivia Stewman (paraphrased)
Yep, sick part is the reasoning is probably tied to funding. Possible funding is proportionate to the amount of rescues so they didn't want another entity. This is not uncommon in the public sector (schools, fire depts, police depts) and its unfortunate that money is ranked higher than the duties of the department.
The regular citizens don’t need these people’s permission to rescue their neighbors. That is a wild statement. You don’t need their authorization. SUE THEM!
Did anybody that's trying to stop The Rescuers need to be pushed out of the way. Obviously anyone that is not helping is there to hurt the situation. That's common sense. And Common Sense is the best policy.
If this was a wealthy neighborhood you would never hear the end of it. There's your Prejudice these wealthy people are the ones that are racist and prejudiced. Their lives matter yours does not. Time to make a change.
As a volunteer firefighter, this makes my blood boil. A tornado ripped our town apart in 2002 and not one person was turned away or discouraged from helping. The Assistant Chief Melton and Town Manager Olivia Stewman are exactly what is wrong with our country.
And Gavin Newsom, and Gretchen Whitmer, and Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris, and all of cnn, and all of msnbc, and all of nbc, and all of hollywood, and the list goes on and on and on and on and on and on
As a Peace Officer, I would not have arrested the pilot, but I would have found a reason to arrest the Assistant Fire Chief. He has NO business being in this position of authority and should be fired for Conduct Unbecoming a Fire Chief or Fire Fighter.
That is a lie... You cover otger blue departments. Just look what happened recently when another pig tried to arrest an ambulance driver carrying a pacient in an emergency just for a but hurt. You are experts finding any excuse to jail civilians, jist because you don't suffer consequences.
Assistant chief has a fragile ego. Its "our operation". No sorry, you dont have helicopters just AT your disposal. This was a different story in other towns! Cleetus was rescuing people left and right after the storm.
And the town manager. She seems to be playing politics instead of working with people to save lives. God forbid someone steal their thunder and do a better job than them. Seen this a couple times in my life. Politicians trying not to "let a crisis go to waste". They make me sick.
@@fastst1 exactly lol. Can you imagine the ground crew roping him across the river? Imagine if someone asked them, "hey would you rather rope him across the river or would you rather have this private pilot pick him up quick?" Lol I bet that ground crew was PISSSED
This was a guy who’d already been through many hours of trauma and deprivation, who actually thought it would soon be over. These folks had watched their home disappear down a hill, along with most of their physical possessions. They will recover though. They have each other.
going through the neccassary channell is the lady for real if there is a chopper pilot willing to go out and deliver food and water and rescue people dont question it
@@wesley6873 Melton and Stewman could have handled this a lot better than what they did. They should be removed from their positions. They are a disgrace.
I was a Coast Guard Disaster Response Team Coordinator for Logistics and Helicopter support during yearly Hurricanes. 😡 *Chris Melton should be fired* *His Acting Fire Chief should Resign!*
You Don't Turn Away American 'ASSETS' Of Any Use To Your Mission! Want To Be The Guy In Charge? *Take Charge And INCORPORATE THEM!!* It works on the battlefield as well. 'VOLUNTEER? GTFO Of My Way Barney Fife - Whatever, Call yer daddy!'
😂 I didn't see it till I read your comment! Had to go back and look. Omg it just doubles down on their hypocrisy. Great comment! Thank you so much for calling out their bs with yet more facts.
Anyone who wants to understand how garbage the fire chief/asst chief is - look above the door of the manager - the smoke detector is hanging off the wall!
As a helicopter hoist operator for search and rescue, this is absolutely INFURIATING that the pilot was threatened with arrest! A 5 minute flight to safety versus dragging him across a RAGING swift water river is absurd. Bonkers that the local authorities would threaten arrest! The lady in this video can piss off! 🤬
@@joycepino9749 Not enough teams for the amount of people in need. As long as these people are not in the way why not let them help? I would risk anything for my family
Exactly! They are all very lucky that this gentleman didn't get bashed to death by debris as they dragged him across the river! Shameful when he could have been reunited with his wife via private helicopter within under ten minutes. Insisting that he leave his son behind on that crumbling cliff with no food, water, shelter, or gear is absolutely offensive, too.
Niiiiiii ice !! Praying for all disaster victims and their families and witnesses and ❤❤❤ helping hand neighbors and spring to action folks. That lady from city hall who spoke IS SO FULL OF CRAP, 2 overflowing rivers couldn't wash her clean. And she probably believes what she said! The rescue pilot needs to check in and get a clearance, and announce his moves, and can't be a Hazzard to ground rescue crew. It's unsafe, unlawful, unknown and inconvenient. Well welcome to LIBERTY sweets. THE Municipal Officials had to think about crime possibility, sad they couldn't comprehend the TRUTH about their fellow countrymen.
This is government. They fail the people they exist by protect by placing an impenetrable wall of procedures and policies between common sense and the citizen’s problem! As for the pilot he was afraid of a silly bureaucrat and surely could have taken his son and the man to another location. Then no problem! But he was like Auntie Em in the Wizard of Oz, who said, “We can’t go against the law Dorothy.” But Dorothy DID go against the law and that’s why she had that wonderful Journey and why we are still learning from it! As far as the assistant chief all he would know is that the pilot picked up his son and went home, end of conflict and everyone is safe! When confronted with an illegal order, with evil, just say’ “No!” That’s the via negativa, the way of negating what is false! It’s what Eve failed to do in the garden-just turn around and walk away. JWC
The City Manager & Chief need to be FIRED! The excuses are flimsy & they put the husband in more danger with their "rescue" of dragging him over the river.
The reporter should have asked if it was safer to drag the man through a river flowing with debris like the "officials" did instead of a ride in a helicopter that the man's wife already "survived."
That’s just plain ignorant to me! Yea let’s risk this man’s life and drag him across this swollen river! Don’t worry about the logs and houses and cars coming down! That fire chief is an idiot!
Fun fact... the city manager, assistant fire chief and emergency management people cannot tell a private pilot to not fly or be subject to arrest. The FAA at the request of local authorities can issue a Temporary Flight Restriction. I think the assistant fire chief committed a crime.
How about the fact he isn't doing anything but hiding in the building while the real men and women are out putting it on the line to rescue those that need help
Was thinking along the same lines. Who do these ground clowns think they are. Better be brushing up on FAA rules and regs. Mr. Melton committed a crime. These “little fish in little ponds”, got all threatened bc someone may have usurped their micropenis control in their lil kingdom. Wait to Ft Bragg rolls in on Saturday 14:17
Silly Australian question here, why did the water not seem to be draining in the photos? Water input levels, bottleneck, angle of decline (or proper term)? Genuinely curious.
Fire Chief and City Mgr.... NEED to both be stranded for 3 days and see how they feel when a hero comes in to save THEM.... UNREAL and heartbreaking the power pull is obviously worth more then actual lives. SHAME ON THEM
Don't forget that these two need to sleep in their car, after watching their home slide down the mountain, give each a bottle of water and a bag of potato chips. Out of-control ego cure.
Once they deflected questions to her, they were already in damage control. She's obviously the one with media training, and her main priority at that point was to admit no fault and not say anything that could lead to the city getting sued. Unfortunately for her, media actually did it's job for once, and this is too big to just smooth over with bureaucratic manager/legal speak. The fire cheif should definitely lose his job. Put ego and jurisdictional p!ssing match in front of the task at hand. The correct answer was obviously to jump at the chance to have a volunteer asset like that and incorporate him into the SAR mission.
It's systemic, firing them is irrelevant. Structure fires are a thing of the past, due to modern technology and regulations. Despite this, the ranks of firefighters have swollen nationally. They're no longer there to protect you. They're backup for the militarized police. They're trained to protect the elite. And apparently, as in Lahaina and now Helene, they're trained to prevent the saving of lives.
The absolute irony too is that the guy who was "authorized" and actually got the husband ended up using a much more dangerous method to recue. Literally dragging the guy across the river with a rope. Meanwhile the "unauthorized" guy had the safest recue option available lol
In retrospect it shouldn't be shocking after all we need government permission to fix our own homes, work our own land, enjoy the natural bounty God provided us, permission to float on the kings rivers or fees to walk his forests, permission to feed ourselves, permission to butcher meat for our neighbors, permission to sell produce, permission to sell goods, permission to inventory to sell. Hell you even need permission to dig a hole to crap in on your own land. Shouldn't be surprising they would demand we beg to help our neighbors if anything im surprised they aren't charging some sort fee or permit to volunteer down there
An example needs to be made so that this type of nonsense does not occur in upcoming disasters. You get paid for judgement and thinking on your feet. The Assistant Fire Chief failed miserably.
@@Greasy.Sweaty.Rat.Child.I'm usually all for replies making fun of tough guy comments but that isn't what that was. If you truly believe a parent wouldn't fight someone to rescue their child you underestimate parental instincts.
So, instead of a 3 minute helicopter ride, he had to hike toward rescuers and get drug by a rope across a river. Make it make sense. It's good all the private pilots were able to come in the following day and provide so much relief.
Firefighters are not air traffic controllers. I don't think they have the authority to tell a pilot where he can and can't go. Nor do they have the authority to arrest anyone.
the thing is within 30 minutes they put up a no fly zone. why? we dont know cause its not like they brought in something that needed the air space. it does sound like pure ego.
The husband should file a lawsuit against the Asst Chief for pain and suffering? Instead of a safe 3-minute flight they dragged this man, probably close to 60 years old across a raging river with a rope. This is insanity?
Fire chiefs in California all get concealed carry permits bc they have power of arrest. Not sure about commonwealth cities, but the allowance is to keep their crew safe.
@@positivelynegative9149 Which only highlights that they're no longer "public servants" but tyrannical jobsworths; it's no wonder the West is slowly crumbling with so much back-scratching and corruption seeping into public sector jobs at all levels. It's the same with any position of power; religious leaders shouldn't roll around in expensive vehicles and sip from golden chalices, but they do because corruption has seeped in from the top down.
What jerks. To save a person is honorable. To threaten a person because they saved someone shows that person has no humanity. Shame on that low life official.
@@ksytubeI do not think this was a Republican thing. I think this was a Asshole thing. If you think that all Republicans are evil and all Democrats are good I don't know how to help you. Both parties suck and as a society we ought to focus more on the qualifications of the individual candidates instead of just doing the team sport thing.
Retired City Firefighter with 25 years of service here. This story shows the low is state of our culture. The scumbag Fire Chief is a disgrace to our profession.
@@dasse8717I really hate to tell you, but you need to read the news not just in the United States but across the world if you think that these events only occur in southern regions of the United States or in the United States in general. There are so many issues that should never happen, which happen on a daily basis, and you would think brings shame to people involved who claimed to be rescuers or firefighters or medics but only care about themselves and their egos. It's extremely common everywhere, in every country, in every location. I wish it really was confined just one area, so we could focus our efforts on what the problem is with certain areas, but look at the lawsuits and the court cases occurring all over the United States in general. Look at the state of Public Safety in another place where I volunteer, Guatemala City, Guatemala. This is absolutely not a unique situation unfortunately, and it's very heartbreaking to those of us who actually care about the people and not about ourselves and our egos. Sometimes I feel outnumbered by eagles and bureaucrats. I think the good people probably are outnumbered, at least sometimes.
brother i went out there the very next day and cops were telling people to leave under threat of arrest just for cutting trees off the road SO help could get there *We later found out it was this Melton guy who was asking them to have helper kicked out.. (this female just confirmed to me that was true 8:20 )
My thought is that it took three days for them to allow citizens to help with the rescue and after that the private owners rescued 200 people and delivered a lot of supplies. So either way the fire chief and city official failed the stranded people
Anyone who wants to understand how garbage the fire chief/asst chief is - look above the door of the manager - the smoke detector is hanging off the wall!
He has no authority at all. He cannot arrest any body. Give somebody some power and it goes to their heads. He was just a civil servant that couldn't get a job anywhere else. Never listen to idiots. Definitely do not do what the say. What a tool.
@@1DrElectric Actually you are wrong in va and nc interfering with a rescue operation is a felony and yes the firefighter or paramedic can detain you until a officer takes you away.....now at the same time common sense should apply! this should have never happened
@@charlesvalkyrie4096 Wrong you do not have to follow a illegal order from somebody that does not have that authority .At that rate the helicopter pilot could have citizen arrested the fire clown for Impeding a recue effort. Don't make excuses for bad behavior .He does not have the authority to make arrests. Don't make things up. Especially if your going to talk to me.
Why not let him get her husband? Imagine how afraid he was that some stranger took his wife? The terror ON TOP of what they had already suffered. So many are in shock and suddenly the military realize they cant get into tiny spaces and need these volunteer pilots they abused.
She seems to think that government has the ultimate authority over citizens- she's wrong. Thus is exactly why we need to stop asking government for help and start taking our responsibilities back.
The fact that this man's hand isn't already on a mission to find itself across the face of that firefighter shows how strong of a will he has more than most.
@@WinstonSmithGPTkeyboard warriors.... Although people have gotten city employees fired.... But this is actually a case where they deserve it.... So naturally it won't happen!
Let's start with Kamala. It is her husband who has his hands dirty with Black Rock which funds Albemarle who asked for federal and state mining rights to the land just 3 days before this castrophe. Hmmm...coincidental that his wife is the one with the power to approve the federal mining rights? Meanwhile his stick will go up substantially when approved. The loss of life for money. Makes you sick.
As a professional pilot, it always behooves me how these public servants we call first responders think they have authority over the FAA, aircraft and airspace! Nothing this man did was illegal. Even if it wasn’t an emergency evacuation or a natural disaster, we could have legally flew his helicopter up there and landed in those people’s yard! Any public servant not acting in the best interest of the public should be fired!!!! I love how he pokes his head in the room halfway through the interview! He should be ashamed of his actions!!!!
Not sure if autocorrect is to blame, but "Behoove" actually means "responsible" or "appropriate". I'm thinking you meant "bewilders"? I'm only telling you this because your comment is confusing so maybe edit. I live in a hurricane prone area and almost all help is appreciated from our city and local govt. I've never heard of anyone being anything other than praised by local officials so this is weird to me.
@@dustinglenn829there’s no way this fire chief understood aviation to the point of knowing what a TFR is. Also, if you violate a TFR you do NOT get arrested. Your certificate gets suspended potentially. The fact he wanted to arrest him shows he has no clue what airspace rules are.
If that “manager” was stuck up in that mountain for two days with just a bottle of water & a bag of chips, would SHE have insisted on an OFFICIAL rescue only?
Absolutely. This is disgusting. I understand the risks that may be possible when not left to "the professionals," but this is a life or death situation.
One thing to consider: the reason the officials require verification of training is because if they don’t they will have serious liability if someone is killed by a rescuer who doesn’t know what they are doing. So to everyone who thinks that anyone should be allowed to participate, what you should push for is a law shielding the county from liability in that situation. Then they will allow untrained people to help. But if that happens and one of your family members is killed during a rescue and you are told you can’t sue, you probably won’t be very happy…and you will be blaming those same officials for incompetence and saying “how could they let unqualified people rescue my family. “ just something to consider.
@@jjazman1234 understood, but the guy a veteran everything, pilot, firefighter, alot of other things....and he did coordinate with flight paths locally - pilots do know how to do that. The good news is the stupid ban was lifted as all the help in this particular area is civilian. yes main town centers have some FEMA food - great, however the remote folks are all getting supported by civilian volunteers. its necessary.
Dumb, ignorant, egotistical Lake Lure Town Manager Olivia Stewman IS THE PROBLEM WITH local city and county governments ALL OVER AMERICA TODAY! People like Olivia Stewman are ignorant, arrogant, lacking common sense, illogical, irrational and often dishonest government types who are simply UNHELPFUL and UNNECESSARY TO HAVE AROUND...and We the People are PAYING THEM. Let all of that sink in folks and get more involved in your LOCAL AREA politics, elections, decision making and taxation/funding what government is doing!
1400 hrs of flight time, an ex police officer, ex fire fighter and this mouthy cnut who is city manager should be fired. She speaks highly of lovers like herself. Everyone should be sued and fired.
Never ASK THE GOVERNMENT FOR PERMISSION for ANYTHING. Just keep quiet and Do what your heart tells you to save people. The GOV is not your friend. The GOV is not here to help people.
Anything to cover the ass of her followers. They are the most important. Everyone else is disposable, and can only be saved if they ALLOW it. Sounds like the governments finest.
Dumb, ignorant, egotistical Lake Lure Town Manager Olivia Stewman IS THE PROBLEM WITH local city and county governments ALL OVER AMERICA TODAY! People like Olivia Stewman are ignorant, arrogant, lacking common sense, illogical, irrational and often dishonest government types who are simply UNHELPFUL and UNNECESSARY TO HAVE AROUND...and We the People are PAYING THEM. Let all of that sink in folks and get more involved in your LOCAL AREA politics, elections, decision making and taxation/funding what government is doing!
I'm glad they showed the guys name and picture. The city hall and manager should be ashamed to make excuses instead of apologizing for making the rescue efforts less effective by not allowing the assistance
Imagine getting angry at someone for rescuing someone - because you weren't the one to do it. That so-called fire chief needs to be fired. He's impeding rescue efforts, not helping. Please get him out of there before he causes more damage.
The overpaid clown who usually does nothing got a chance for some notoriety (and hefty overtime). He's getting the attention he wanted. And the overtime.
Lake Lure has gone many decades without an emergency. Due to that, incompetent people have slowly taken over the positions of power! It is time to clean house again! We should shame people like this to never run for office. Assistant Chief Melton shouldn't be in charge of a dog washing business, much less a rescue effort!!
It’s very obvious it was an ego trip because he just could have said “Thank you for brining her in. Hey we need you to just coordinate with us when you go out again.”
It's refreshing to see a reporter actually asking pointed questions and holding the government's feet to the fire rather than just blindly accepting their talking points as "facts". Well done.
During hurricane Harvey when our neighborhood flooded, in the middle of the night, like 3AM, we heard those swamp/fan boats going down our streets, rescuing people. Turns out it was the "Cajun Navy," volunteers from Louisiana who drove hundreds of miles in the middle of the night to save people in Houston. Thank God for them. They had capabilities that our local government did not have. The Cajun Navy didn't ask anyone for permission; they just drove up on the main street of our neighborhood and started rescuing people.
Cajun Navy is a term I never heard of. Absolutely love it!! Also, my husband worked for FEMA evaluating the damage to homes during Katrina and Wilma. He said Cajuns are some of the best people you want to meet.
When you see a bunch of airboat and flat boats from Louisiana show up you know the Cajun Navy has arrived. They come in, do what has to be done and don't care who gets the credit, because they know God knows. They are getting the job done.
I live just north of Houston and yes I remember we were all under water, it was a blessing to see the men from Louisiana with those big airboats going up and down those highways ,my son in law was a Houston Fireman , everyone worked together and glad to have help where ever they could find it, thank God for people with a good heart that will help his or her fellow brothers and sisters, that’s what life should be , no one should be doing it for recognition! Now Florida is in the path of another hurricane, please be praying for them also !!
The fire chief has a hero complex - HE must be the one to save people. Anyone else steals his spot light. He forgot the one saying - not all heroes wear capes…and he lived long enough to become the villain
Olivia is a poor example for a spokesperson. Melton wanted to be the hero but got butt hurt when someone else was better prepared with better resources.
F' you Olivia, life safety trumps all rules and regs, Melton is a short sighted jackass who's impulsiveness endangered first responders to rescue the husband
This boils my blood so fucking bad. "Not adequately trained" HE HAD TO GO THROUGH MORE TRAINING TO FLY THAT THING THAT YOU EVER HAD TO PLAY ASS COVERING DUTY FOR BUREAUCRATS
My guy, rescue pilots with THOUSANDS of hours go down. As far as I know, he's just a private pilot, he was not trained for that scenario. Not saying they shouldn't have evaluated the risk/reward, but it is fair to say he wasn't adequately trained in high risk rescue with unstable ground and structures and bad communications.
The interviewer could have pressed on the training statement as right after the training statement the interviewer asked about pilots getting approval the next day with no training and she said they just need to go through the proper channels. When people stick to rules and policy they will eventually contradict themselves. What a higher lesson in being saved by rules and policy. For those who have ears let them hear.
@9:40 the "not available" asst chief opens the door behind the city manager and backs his coward butt outta there...the world we live in now...jeezus Edit: just noticed the disabled smoke/ CO2 alarm above the door behind here at the fire chiefs office 😮
BS! We have a moral responsibility to take care of each other. For someone to step in and threaten to arrest someone for trying to save lives is despicable.
It also says "Do unto others"...if you see someone in need and they ask for help. Do it Those are Jesus'words... I am a Christian and I would have gone back to get the man. This is clearly a situation of pride of someone not doing the right thing and turning help away because of his ego.
Hmmmm so saving life is a crime now! Sounds like this department needs to be shut down as the aid of citizens appear to be much more effective then this ego driven animal on a power trip!
That city manager is exactly what people dislike most about bureaucrats.
Note in the video around the 10:00 mark- her fire chief can't even make sure their smoke alarms are properly mounted? Top right, it's hanging by the wiring.
Notice how this person talks about following rules yet the smoke detector on the wall behind her is hanging by a wire.
Might be the I'm large and in charge attitude of the porn stach ass Lake Lure fire chief at the head of the list but yes, she's example number two.
she was a joke....melton opened the door behind her while she was talking!!! she said in so many words, "he encroached on our egos, who does he think he is"
@@myamerica9194 Maybe that's why the fire chief poked his head in - they need him for important tasks like changing the batteries in her detector.
Let’s see… a 3 minute helicopter ride versus dragging a man across a raging river with a rope. Who’s putting who in danger again?
But that would deny the FD the chance to get front page kudos and a chance to use their toys.
And who else really, is going in to help.....everything i hear is all help re getting to remote people.....is all civilian....every single bit. some just learned how to bypass FEMA to get mass supplies to different areas, chainsaws (who needs fema to run chainsaws when tens of thousands know how to use), food, water, every level of support.
Pathetic that they did this to this man. When transport was available.
Right they risked that man’s life doing that bs when he could’ve been safely flown out to his wife. I’d sue the shit out of them if it was me.
@@triplehfarmsllc7348We all need to shout these pos's out of all offices of authority.
Assistant chief Melton needs to be fired!!!! And Olivia needs to go too !!!
I think somebody just likes to be boss
Can't educate pork
Yup, they can’t manage their way out of a paper sack. The FAA should be put on the carpet for their overreach. Helicopters are expensive to own and maintain and you have a private citizen that is willing to spend their own money to help people and you mistreat them. These people know no shame and should be shown the door.
@@hillbilly4christ638 Can't educate pork
@@johns1039 HAHA HAHA
The fire cheif that caused this whole situation literally opens the door at 9:40. He was absolutely available to comment on his own actions, but the city was too afraid of any form of actual blowback. Such cowards
Haha I noticed him open the door too. What a coward
Coward opened the door and then closed it again 😂
We only leave behind a legacy. He has a legacy of a coward with the moustache of a homosexual. Come ride the fire pole boys...
I bet he is not only a coward, but also an aggressor. Given he is actually in the same building when she was doing that video interview, I wouldn't be surprised if he threaten her if she doesn't back him up.
Lol!
Having been a firefighter for 21 years and a police officer before that, that city manager is full of it. The deputy Chief should be fired. That city manager should be fired. Both have no friggen idea of how to help in a situation. "Necessary Channels" is patent BULL!
thank you for your input Doc, and i agree 100 percent !
The city manager doesn’t look old enough to have been a firefighter for 21 years and cop prior to that.
He should be in Prison now
@@louskunt9798 I think you are misinterpreting what DacLaw172 was saying - HE was a firefighter for 21 years, not the city manager.
@@gerber8915 I’m not misinterpreting anything, just making a joke. His sentence structure perfectly claims that the city manager was a firefighter, etc. We know what he meant. ✌️
Asst. Fire Chief Melton needs to get the hell out of Lake Lure. HE WILL NEVER BE FORGIVEN. He was more interested in Power Tripping than saving lives. FIRE HIM--FIRE THE CHIEF ABOVE HIM----FIRE THE TOWN MANAGER
TRUTH
"If you want to know someone's true character, place them in a position of power!" -lisa Grafton
That manager tried to put lipstick on a pig! He's an asset fire chief, with no authority to arrest anyone!
I'm so happy the helo pilot get the "training necessary to navigate in those dangerous areas", in less than 24 hours!
The coward asst chief opened the door, during the interview, but "wasn't available to to do an interview"???
The both of them needs to be fired this person was qualified and they just wanted to run this on their on for whatever connection they could get
Why was the chief doing nothing but being petty
The fire chief Melton was about to walk in on that City Manager interview look at his face for that goofy mustache
We don't need their permission to help our fellow citizens.
They obviously don’t want to be helped.
I think that person was referring to helping the people stranded.
Ever.
"Sir! Sir! You can't do that! You need a license to render aid to people in distress. You need to apply for a $40 provisional rescue permit at least 4 -8 weeks ahead of time from the South Carolina Office of Internal safety Measures. The permit must be renewed every 3 months and cannot be used out of state, and you must have at least 2 forms of I.D. proving you are a South Carolina resident and are certified in CPR. Sir! Sir! This is for everyone's saftey! Failure to provide a permit while rendering aid warrants a minimum fine of $500 and/or 6 months in county jail. Sir! Sir!"
Until it goes wrong and they sue everyone involved.
The “unavailable” firefighter who made the threat opened the damn door mid-interview! Disgraceful.
Maybe it's antisemitic to criticize him as we don't know his background .. always research semitic background before criticizing anyone.
What are you talking about do you hate Jews or something? @@operacarmen
Stfu dude, you are incredibly ignorant. @@operacarmen
@@operacarmenwhat? Wtf are you talking about
@@PurpleHeart-gh6sv before criticizing anyone.. make sure he isn't a semite.
The coward opened the door in the background but wasn't available to defend his own actions. Tyrannical dirt bag!!
I was gonna say 9:42 looks similar to him
@@crimesguy The woman talking at that time was bull shitting lies. Piss on her.
I said the same thing that was him the coward
You’re absolutely right he didn’t have the nerve to walk in and show his face, but he did screw up long enough for us to notice
What a tool!
The City Manager needs to be removed as well.
What a terrible look for the City Manager. Worst answers possible.
Disgusting
Totally agree.
Correct. Totally agree. She's trying to say only the government has the right to allow you into a disaster area when you're trying to save people and then when asked well did he receive any additional training cuz you guys were asking him back instead of saying we made a mistake. We should have just had him log in as help. She tries to say no he was in the wrong she needs to go
Guarantee the town or whatever has a lot to say to the manager and ass-chief. Best said with switching them out for people with common sense.
Fire the fire chief, he is a danger to the public.
Yeah fire the rescue leadership in the middle of a major disaster to satisfy your internet mob outrage. Great idea.
He isn't the chief you clown. Pay attention.
to be fair it is the Assistant Chief he doesn't earn a promotion
He should still be fired for leaving a moron like that in charge @@ImprovmanZero
" I'm going to be the only one who rescues people... Even if that means people have to die" ... Yeah... We got that..Don't interfere with "you" getting the credit. Fire the Bozo Asst Chief.. there are easily more service minded and capable slot holders.
watching the fire who chief who wasn't available for comment poking his head through the door at 9:40 is like watching something out of a wes anderson movie
The community just learned an important lesson about their fire chief.
The lesson is that he is an A-hole
The fire chief has no authority to arrest people.
Some firefighters (and many police) love their power trips. Very Trump like.
She's a liar@ Admit it ! Your thugs got busted. Must be working for the feds
@@henrybutchy3242 Lots of govt employees (firefighters, police, FEMA) would rather watch someone die than be helped by an 'outsider', kinda like Kamala
These County officials are ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!🤢 ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!!!!! Right down to the woman county spokesperson regurgitating this nauseating nonsense!!! There are NO excuses for their behavior!!! Local residents need to make sure these officials are removed from their positions!!!!
This girl doesn't belong in any type of position of authority. She's more concerned about her own department than she is about those who were in danger. If in fact they needed to 'coordinate', then fine. Take down pilot's info. Tell him who to notify. Give him a flight plan or whatever he needed. Rather than an arrest threat
@micheleh5269 Agreed...but it's a "power trip" with these types...😤🤦♀️
Anyone notice ASST CHIEF CRAPPISTACHE popped his head in mid interview? You suppose he was there to fix the smoke detector dangling by its wires… ? Jerk
This assistant fire chief wanted to be the hero that day. He knew he had a chance at it and wasn't about to let anyone else steal his thunder. As a result, he let his GIANT EGO get in the way of actually becoming one. He's done at this job and most likely with any command job at any other department. As a public servant ego has zero place in the chain of command. Unfortunately for him, and more importantly, his own family, he's going to find that out, factually, the hard way. Good luck to him in his future endeavors.
yes
That's no fire chief. I am a retired South African Chief Fire Officer and I can honestly say that this is a pure case of ego, based on jurisdictional jealousy. "How dare you rescue someone in such a flamboyant manner while we don't have helicopter resources of our own?" Instead of threatening the pilot, I would have welcomed him and provided all the support, including fuel, to assist in gaining an aerial overview of the disaster area, and assisting in rescues where possible. What a disgrace to the firefighting profession. And shame on the town officials for trying to excuse this behaviour.
It's much WORSE that. These orders from the rogue Fire Chiefs/NOT are from the TOP DOWN. FEMA/Rome/UN to destroy America completely.
American firefighters are ALL ego take it from a guy raised by one
nothing but drama and egos when two departments respond to a call
I totally agree with your opinion.
@@nickgreen7312That’s been my experience. A lot of ego.
@@nickgreen7312 I wouldn't say all but there's certainly more than a few. I have family who are firefighters and they're some of the most down to Earth people I know.
The higher up the ladder you go, the worse the ego gets. The same goes for the police department.
Stewman claiming she was unaware is admitting she is ignorant.
“It’s not that we’re turning away help or volunteerism”
Ma’am that is EXACTLY what you did.
Exactly what she did 🙌🏽 This is just....... This is a whole new low 🤦🏽♀️
You did turn volunteer help away.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing, but you understand that we can’t just come out and say that because it would look bad”
Worse than that, they threatened to arrest the volunteer helpers.
deplorable in every way … just despicable.
Twenty-five plus years on the job as a Deputy Sheriff I will say this in the context of a natural disaster... I didn't realize "regular citizens" couldn't save lives. I didn't know a person needed "authorization" to save a life. I didn't know a person needed to provide "advanced notification" in order to save a life. Milton and the talking head from the City are a disgrace to Public Service.
True, but unfortunately, an all too real in the modern "we're the government and you must respect my authority" world.
I'm not a believer in what BLM and Pantyfa are selling, but they are not wrong about the corrupt nature of local, state, and federal agencies.
Yet it's illegal to failure to render aid at the scene of an accident.
I concur, write the ticket, I'm doing anyway
Should watch some of the flood footage from a few years back. Guys with monster trucks down south are told to quit our face similar or fines. Prior to that they were getting people trapped in the roofs of their homes to safe ground.
I know right? Its YOUR job to arrest people for helping others. How dare the firemen get in on your action?
Fire chief has an ego way too big. He needs to be fired for sure. Don't need people like this in public service.
It's much worse with DC beauacrats
Did you see him open the door while she was answering questions. Gross
And the 2 idiot cops
He needs to be charged with criminal neglect.
he's a charter member of the Tiny D Club...
Thank you again Jodi Barr for showing us citizens that we really need to start doing what we need to do to help one another. Be damned what the government says. We own the government.
Were supposed to own the government. I think the way they treated ALL of us during Covid, proves THEY are the ones in charge.
So they're doubling down on their BS? Why does anyone need the city's permission to rescue stranded people? Absolutely absurd to turn away anyone who's willing to help, let alone someone with a helicopter.
Please, someone check and see what political connections these fire dept. fools have, I'm sure its Democrats ,
@@heart_soul50 Who said anyone was a democrat. You are really reaching here Putin. If one uses their brain and looks at a district map of NC they will see that Western NC is completely red voting, Putin. So sounds like if you are seeking blame it should be on Republicans. Chuck Edwards, the REPUBLICAN Rep of that area, probably decided to take a page from Ted Cruz and flew to Cancun. 😆
See, YOU should not have brought politics into this.
All the people NC are lying after losing everything. Wake up
Wake up Melissa, these things don't just happen.
@@melissas4874Calm down there Nasrallah.
Not mentioned, the private pilot is former Law Enforcement and a former Firefighter. He informed the Pompous Asst Chief of his qualifications.
I suspect that most of the civilian chopper pilots where either former military, or law enforcement. That Ass of a fire chief needs to be told, he does not have the authority to do what he did. Only the FAA can close air space.
betting next highest is EMTs training to be LifeFlight
the pilot is a deputy sheriff, former EMS, Firefighter, and a Marine vet with over 1400 flight hours in helicopters. he's more qualified than most of the rescue operators in the state.
Exactly. Stewman clearly had no idea that the pilot was trained. She lost her own argument. What a cretin.
Ur lying
"We'd rather have people die waiting for official help than see them rescued without our permission."
- Lake Lure Town Manager Olivia Stewman (paraphrased)
THIS.
That’s despicable!
Yup. That's what I heard.
Yep, sick part is the reasoning is probably tied to funding. Possible funding is proportionate to the amount of rescues so they didn't want another entity. This is not uncommon in the public sector (schools, fire depts, police depts) and its unfortunate that money is ranked higher than the duties of the department.
The celebration she received upon becoming Town Manager, may turn into a farewell celebration for having no common sense.
Ego over safety?
Fire chief: YES
Hotel?
Trivago.
The regular citizens don’t need these people’s permission to rescue their neighbors. That is a wild statement. You don’t need their authorization. SUE THEM!
You still think you live in a free country?
Even the Sherrif there said they want rescuers to go through a vetting process. They don't want freelancers.
@@williammcleroy558 yeah they don’t like anything that proves their not needed.
Did anybody that's trying to stop The Rescuers need to be pushed out of the way. Obviously anyone that is not helping is there to hurt the situation. That's common sense. And Common Sense is the best policy.
If this was a wealthy neighborhood you would never hear the end of it. There's your Prejudice these wealthy people are the ones that are racist and prejudiced. Their lives matter yours does not. Time to make a change.
As a volunteer firefighter, this makes my blood boil. A tornado ripped our town apart in 2002 and not one person was turned away or discouraged from helping. The Assistant Chief Melton and Town Manager Olivia Stewman are exactly what is wrong with our country.
And Gavin Newsom, and Gretchen Whitmer, and Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris, and all of cnn, and all of msnbc, and all of nbc, and all of hollywood, and the list goes on and on and on and on and on and on
And there are too many people like this!
I left a message 1 minute ago and because I criticized the current Administration they deleted my message
@@iraqifoodcart8447 nice to make it political. If only it was clear who is a multiple offender that steals from charities
@@iraqifoodcart8447 i notice you didnt mention fox news... lead poisoned?
As a Peace Officer, I would not have arrested the pilot, but I would have found a reason to arrest the Assistant Fire Chief. He has NO business being in this position of authority and should be fired for Conduct Unbecoming a Fire Chief or Fire Fighter.
That is a lie... You cover otger blue departments. Just look what happened recently when another pig tried to arrest an ambulance driver carrying a pacient in an emergency just for a but hurt. You are experts finding any excuse to jail civilians, jist because you don't suffer consequences.
Assistant chief has a fragile ego. Its "our operation". No sorry, you dont have helicopters just AT your disposal. This was a different story in other towns! Cleetus was rescuing people left and right after the storm.
When does a Fire Chief have arrest power??
And the town manager. She seems to be playing politics instead of working with people to save lives. God forbid someone steal their thunder and do a better job than them. Seen this a couple times in my life. Politicians trying not to "let a crisis go to waste". They make me sick.
In Lahaina that kind of authoritarian behavior got people killed
You put a man's life in MORE danger unnecessarily, you idiot bureaucrats
Not only the citizen but exposing rescue crews to needless danger
@@fastst1 exactly lol. Can you imagine the ground crew roping him across the river? Imagine if someone asked them, "hey would you rather rope him across the river or would you rather have this private pilot pick him up quick?" Lol I bet that ground crew was PISSSED
This was a guy who’d already been through many hours of trauma and deprivation, who actually thought it would soon be over.
These folks had watched their home disappear down a hill, along with most of their physical possessions.
They will recover though. They have each other.
They should never ever rescue a bureaucrat
The guy should personally sue the assistant fire chief for putting his life in danger needlessly
Give a sociopath a bureaucrat job and they will abuse any and everyone.
going through the neccassary channell is the lady for real if there is a chopper pilot willing to go out and deliver food and water and rescue people dont question it
@@jameseverly8501 💯
@@stillraven9415typical red tape title holder abusing his position.
He is acting on INSTRUCTIONS from the "TOP" !!
@@deanchapman6425 typical useless misplaced red hat comment!*
#34 felony convictions and still counting.
Being in control was more important than rescuing people.
Exactly! Thats the height of bureaucracy. Ridiculous.
I truly do not think so. It's clearly one rich guy with a helicopter and hurt ego. The actual heroes were doing their jobs.
@@wesley6873 There was a hurt ego, but it wasn’t the “rich guy” risking his life and his son’s life flying around looking for survivors.
@@wesley6873 Melton and Stewman could have handled this a lot better than what they did. They should be removed from their positions. They are a disgrace.
@wesley6873 wow talk about confirmation bias. So they drag a guy through a raging river with houses floating down it? You're out of your mind.
9:41 was that the fire chief in the background?
just realised he had the same moustache as well, and they said he wasn't available to speak! hahaha
That private citizen is a hero. That fire chief is the opposite of a hero.
Thats called a complete ZERO bum piece of 💩!!
Thats exactly what that insecure chief is.
Fire chief puts his job security and following nonsense protocol over helping people in great distress. Pathetic and downright evil.
Most government officials are
Zero
Lol he wanted to be Mr Big shot, don't interfere with MY operation, now shamed nationally by millions
I was a Coast Guard Disaster Response Team Coordinator for Logistics and Helicopter support during yearly Hurricanes. 😡 *Chris Melton should be fired* *His Acting Fire Chief should Resign!*
You Don't Turn Away American 'ASSETS' Of Any Use To Your Mission! Want To Be The Guy In Charge? *Take Charge And INCORPORATE THEM!!* It works on the battlefield as well. 'VOLUNTEER? GTFO Of My Way Barney Fife - Whatever, Call yer daddy!'
Arrested. And made to share a cell with Diddy
No telling how many unfortunate souls were lost because of his negligence! Perhaps families should investigate.
@@pysq8 To old for Diddy
😂 I didn't see it till I read your comment! Had to go back and look. Omg it just doubles down on their hypocrisy. Great comment! Thank you so much for calling out their bs with yet more facts.
Imagine having to ask permission from the government to rescue someone. What a country.
We are a gay Soviet Union now
@pallasmarx7985 such evil and hatred in your heart.
This is a common theme with this admin still think those in palastine where the train derailed are still waiting for some help
probably want you to fill out twenty pages of paperwork too. those mfs
As a US veteran I would tell him that I do not recognize their Authority they are nothing but calm......eeees
That fire department chief is making my blood boil
Talk about offensive. You don't threaten a hero with arrest and then beg for his help. Talk about brain dead.
Braindead puppet
But you know what? That hero went back even though he had been threatened by the control freak. That's what Heroes do!
@@OuttaasiteNdynomiteget your facts straight !
Yeah, he went back and got his son but left the husband ...
@@OuttaasiteNdynomiteheros leave no one behind ...
Heros don't give a shit about threats ...
@@weytogoman He went back the next day after they allowed citizens to go out to help. So you got your facts straight!
He almost came walking through that door during the interview!!!!!
WHAT A COWARD TO NOT ANSWER FOR HIMSELF
Anyone who wants to understand how garbage the fire chief/asst chief is - look above the door of the manager - the smoke detector is hanging off the wall!
completely agree--this guy is a complete coward
He can't defend himself.
9:42
@@perryrush6563govt. is a joke!😂😂😂
As a helicopter hoist operator for search and rescue, this is absolutely INFURIATING that the pilot was threatened with arrest! A 5 minute flight to safety versus dragging him across a RAGING swift water river is absurd.
Bonkers that the local authorities would threaten arrest! The lady in this video can piss off! 🤬
Don't they have search and rescue helicopter pilots that are trained to do this? Why are the Fire Department involved? Let SandR do their jobs.
@@joycepino9749 Not enough teams for the amount of people in need. As long as these people are not in the way why not let them help? I would risk anything for my family
Exactly! They are all very lucky that this gentleman didn't get bashed to death by debris as they dragged him across the river! Shameful when he could have been reunited with his wife via private helicopter within under ten minutes. Insisting that he leave his son behind on that crumbling cliff with no food, water, shelter, or gear is absolutely offensive, too.
That assistant fire chief needs to be removed.
What you have is a bunch of self elected officials exerting self appointed power.
At 9:43 isn't that him in the background?
Arrest him for what? Unauthorized life saving?
Yes
The law is carefully crafted so the government can charge anyone with anything. Even if you beat the charge you won’t beat the ride.
Making government look incompetent.
I'm sure many of us would have contributed to his legal defense. Chris Melton is a joke & needs to be fired.
Niiiiiii ice !! Praying for all disaster victims and their families and witnesses and ❤❤❤ helping hand neighbors and spring to action folks. That lady from city hall who spoke IS SO FULL OF CRAP, 2 overflowing rivers couldn't wash her clean. And she probably believes what she said! The rescue pilot needs to check in and get a clearance, and announce his moves, and can't be a Hazzard to ground rescue crew. It's unsafe, unlawful, unknown and inconvenient. Well welcome to LIBERTY sweets. THE Municipal Officials had to think about crime possibility, sad they couldn't comprehend the TRUTH about their fellow countrymen.
These public officials forget WHO THEY WORK FOR!
Who? George Soros? They don’t gaf about us.
Get it right we work for them
They work for the money, not the people
That is the problem with this country
They know exactly who they work for: Satan!
The firefighter that threatened to arrest this brave helicopter pilot should be arrested and jailed.
Yeah he was a fire fighter, not qualified,bs
Go ahead and write your tickets
I'm saving lives gfy
Exactly
I think his stash is out on bail already.
The Assistant Fire Chief Melton will throw your ass in jail if you ever get a stupid idea like saving peoples lives.
Good job reporter - asking all the right questions. 100% failure on the city manager.
This comment right here!
This is government. They fail the people they exist by protect by placing an impenetrable wall of procedures and policies between common sense and the citizen’s problem!
As for the pilot he was afraid of a silly bureaucrat and surely could have taken his son and the man to another location. Then no problem! But he was like Auntie Em in the Wizard of Oz, who said, “We can’t go against the law Dorothy.” But Dorothy DID go against the law and that’s why she had that wonderful Journey and why we are still learning from it!
As far as the assistant chief all he would know is that the pilot picked up his son and went home, end of conflict and everyone is safe!
When confronted with an illegal order, with evil, just say’ “No!”
That’s the via negativa, the way of negating what is false! It’s what Eve failed to do in the garden-just turn around and walk away.
JWC
This reporter is very fine and a bulldog. He’s the kind CBS will never hire, a man with a conscience.
The City Manager & Chief need to be FIRED! The excuses are flimsy & they put the husband in more danger with their "rescue" of dragging him over the river.
The reporter should have asked if it was safer to drag the man through a river flowing with debris like the "officials" did instead of a ride in a helicopter that the man's wife already "survived."
Your best offer to “rescue” someone is drag them across the raging river versus a dry ride in a helicopter? What a joke!
Exactly what I thought.
That’s just plain ignorant to me! Yea let’s risk this man’s life and drag him across this swollen river! Don’t worry about the logs and houses and cars coming down! That fire chief is an idiot!
Totally insane abuse of power. These small minded bureaucrats just want to control everyone and everything.
None of it makes sense. Those poor people.
No permission is needed whatsoever to help people in need ! Firechief can go *uck his hat and paddle away in his douche canoe!
Fun fact... the city manager, assistant fire chief and emergency management people cannot tell a private pilot to not fly or be subject to arrest. The FAA at the request of local authorities can issue a Temporary Flight Restriction. I think the assistant fire chief committed a crime.
I LOVE this comment! Very interesting indeed.
How about the fact he isn't doing anything but hiding in the building while the real men and women are out putting it on the line to rescue those that need help
Unfortunately, some ignorant cop would probably arrest the pilot and sort it out later.
Was thinking along the same lines.
Who do these ground clowns think they are. Better be brushing up on FAA rules and regs.
Mr. Melton committed a crime.
These “little fish in little ponds”, got all threatened bc someone may have usurped their micropenis control in their lil kingdom.
Wait to Ft Bragg rolls in on Saturday 14:17
Deprivation of rights under color of law?
Silly Australian question here, why did the water not seem to be draining in the photos? Water input levels, bottleneck, angle of decline (or proper term)? Genuinely curious.
Fire Chief and City Mgr.... NEED to both be stranded for 3 days and see how they feel when a hero comes in to save THEM.... UNREAL and heartbreaking the power pull is obviously worth more then actual lives. SHAME ON THEM
You're not authorized to save that 4 year old kid drowning in the community swimming pool, me either. 🙄🙄🙄✌️
Excellent Sir!!!!
Don't forget that these two need to sleep in their car, after watching their home slide down the mountain, give each a bottle of water and a bag of potato chips.
Out of-control ego cure.
This chick is a tool
No water or food
Citizens need to make sure the City Manager & Fire Chief are fired.
Not to mention sued.
Have to keep the heat on
Once they deflected questions to her, they were already in damage control. She's obviously the one with media training, and her main priority at that point was to admit no fault and not say anything that could lead to the city getting sued. Unfortunately for her, media actually did it's job for once, and this is too big to just smooth over with bureaucratic manager/legal speak.
The fire cheif should definitely lose his job. Put ego and jurisdictional p!ssing match in front of the task at hand. The correct answer was obviously to jump at the chance to have a volunteer asset like that and incorporate him into the SAR mission.
It's systemic, firing them is irrelevant. Structure fires are a thing of the past, due to modern technology and regulations. Despite this, the ranks of firefighters have swollen nationally. They're no longer there to protect you. They're backup for the militarized police. They're trained to protect the elite. And apparently, as in Lahaina and now Helene, they're trained to prevent the saving of lives.
they need a raise and the citizen should be jailed
I never knew you had to be authorized to save lives. That fire chief needs fired immediately!!!!!!!
What a total crock of crap.
The absolute irony too is that the guy who was "authorized" and actually got the husband ended up using a much more dangerous method to recue. Literally dragging the guy across the river with a rope. Meanwhile the "unauthorized" guy had the safest recue option available lol
thats our government. its ran by lawyers, for lawyers.
In retrospect it shouldn't be shocking after all we need government permission to fix our own homes, work our own land, enjoy the natural bounty God provided us, permission to float on the kings rivers or fees to walk his forests, permission to feed ourselves, permission to butcher meat for our neighbors, permission to sell produce, permission to sell goods, permission to inventory to sell. Hell you even need permission to dig a hole to crap in on your own land. Shouldn't be surprising they would demand we beg to help our neighbors if anything im surprised they aren't charging some sort fee or permit to volunteer down there
An example needs to be made so that this type of nonsense does not occur in upcoming disasters. You get paid for judgement and thinking on your feet. The Assistant Fire Chief failed miserably.
He got paid to do nothing!
I'm starting to think bureaucrats don't want citizens to perform better than them and make them look incompetent.
I cannot imagine being told I could not go back to get my son?!!!! And that I could not rescue another human!!!
Shame on that chief!!!
I can imagine being told. I can also imagine the fight afterwards if they attempted to touch my copter as I was lifting off again.
@@RealSkoolmasteryo watch out for this guy he’s a badass🤓
@@Greasy.Sweaty.Rat.Child. nah, and you dont have to be. You just dont have to be so scared you wont throw a punch.
@@Greasy.Sweaty.Rat.Child.I'm usually all for replies making fun of tough guy comments but that isn't what that was. If you truly believe a parent wouldn't fight someone to rescue their child you underestimate parental instincts.
Government employees feel they have a right and the authority to lord over you and do violence to you at will.
Don't be a sucker.
So, instead of a 3 minute helicopter ride, he had to hike toward rescuers and get drug by a rope across a river. Make it make sense. It's good all the private pilots were able to come in the following day and provide so much relief.
Much safer, because the govt. said so. 😅 Worthless government.
The man was already exhausted so they dragged him across a raging river. Wow!
Never underestimate the ability for a tyrant to make a bad situation worse.
YEAH ONCE THE WORD GOT OUT THEY HAD TO SCRAMBLE TO TRY TO SAVE FACE....
This is the Government’s idea of help, and they do not appreciate a private citizen doing a better job.
Firefighters are not air traffic controllers. I don't think they have the authority to tell a pilot where he can and can't go. Nor do they have the authority to arrest anyone.
the thing is within 30 minutes they put up a no fly zone. why? we dont know cause its not like they brought in something that needed the air space. it does sound like pure ego.
The husband should file a lawsuit against the Asst Chief for pain and suffering? Instead of a safe 3-minute flight they dragged this man, probably close to 60 years old across a raging river with a rope. This is insanity?
They just tell the police someone interfered with their operations, so the police arrest them.
Fire chiefs in California all get concealed carry permits bc they have power of arrest.
Not sure about commonwealth cities, but the allowance is to keep their crew safe.
@@positivelynegative9149 Which only highlights that they're no longer "public servants" but tyrannical jobsworths; it's no wonder the West is slowly crumbling with so much back-scratching and corruption seeping into public sector jobs at all levels.
It's the same with any position of power; religious leaders shouldn't roll around in expensive vehicles and sip from golden chalices, but they do because corruption has seeped in from the top down.
Wow, that city manager sounds so stupid.
Chris and Olivia, DO THE RIGHT THING AND RESIGN! You're both a danger to the citizens!
What jerks. To save a person is honorable. To threaten a person because they saved someone shows that person has no humanity. Shame on that low life official.
Control issues.
"It's my rescue mission, I want to be the hero."
@@ksytubeI do not think this was a Republican thing. I think this was a Asshole thing. If you think that all Republicans are evil and all Democrats are good I don't know how to help you. Both parties suck and as a society we ought to focus more on the qualifications of the individual candidates instead of just doing the team sport thing.
Who cares if Democrats or Republicans, it's a humanity issue.
Retired City Firefighter with 25 years of service here. This story shows the low is state of our culture. The scumbag Fire Chief is a disgrace to our profession.
That is so American though......Law & Order southern BS.
@@dasse8717I really hate to tell you, but you need to read the news not just in the United States but across the world if you think that these events only occur in southern regions of the United States or in the United States in general. There are so many issues that should never happen, which happen on a daily basis, and you would think brings shame to people involved who claimed to be rescuers or firefighters or medics but only care about themselves and their egos. It's extremely common everywhere, in every country, in every location. I wish it really was confined just one area, so we could focus our efforts on what the problem is with certain areas, but look at the lawsuits and the court cases occurring all over the United States in general. Look at the state of Public Safety in another place where I volunteer, Guatemala City, Guatemala. This is absolutely not a unique situation unfortunately, and it's very heartbreaking to those of us who actually care about the people and not about ourselves and our egos. Sometimes I feel outnumbered by eagles and bureaucrats. I think the good people probably are outnumbered, at least sometimes.
brother i went out there the very next day and cops were telling people to leave under threat of arrest just for cutting trees off the road SO help could get there *We later found out it was this Melton guy who was asking them to have helper kicked out.. (this female just confirmed to me that was true 8:20 )
@@TrueHelpTV wow. Sad.
Up next: Man builds spaceship and says he is going to live on the moon.
Government: That is now illegal, and you will go to jail.
"We aren't turning away help, but we are threatening them with arrest for daring to defy the Bureaucrats in charge."
No excuses.
Tyranny
They want the glory for themselves. Pilot should’ve grew a pair and told em to stuff it.
"Do you think his training improved overnight?" That reporter is awesome!
That was the line for me. I had to stop it and watch it again 😂😂
My thought is that it took three days for them to allow citizens to help with the rescue and after that the private owners rescued 200 people and delivered a lot of supplies. So either way the fire chief and city official failed the stranded people
😅 100%
Was that the asst fire chief peeking in the door during her interview? 😅
She even lied saying it was restricted airspace...glad the reporter called her out on that lie too!
@@dave1096 It sure looked like him unless they all wear those muttonchop beards in that area.
Fire Chief ought to be Fired immediately
No he should go to prison
Anyone who wants to understand how garbage the fire chief/asst chief is - look above the door of the manager - the smoke detector is hanging off the wall!
@@maryannknox7158something different
@@perryrush6563I saw that too!!😂
You’d think they’d be appreciative and grateful but we can all see what kind of people they really are.
That deputy chief is dumber than a box of rocks. The priority is saving lives, not enforcing bureaucratic nonsense.
He has no authority at all. He cannot arrest any body. Give somebody some power and it goes to their heads. He was just a civil servant that couldn't get a job anywhere else. Never listen to idiots. Definitely do not do what the say. What a tool.
The damn fire department can't arrest anyone. The police department in this situation id tell to fckoff as well
@@1DrElectric Actually you are wrong in va and nc interfering with a rescue operation is a felony and yes the firefighter or paramedic can detain you until a officer takes you away.....now at the same time common sense should apply! this should have never happened
@@HandlingItAll Read my reply but also know in CA they are also considered peacekeepers and have arrest powers
@@charlesvalkyrie4096 Wrong you do not have to follow a illegal order from somebody that does not have that authority .At that rate the helicopter pilot could have citizen arrested the fire clown for Impeding a recue effort. Don't make excuses for bad behavior .He does not have the authority to make arrests. Don't make things up. Especially if your going to talk to me.
Chris Melton to the pilot: "You can't rescue people. We're going to be the hero's... even if it kills them." What a goof.
The Barney Fife of Lake Lure
Assistant Fire Chief Farquaad
Good job to this reporter for turning up the heat and pushing the questions.
Great local reporting.
Yeah, Jody is excellent.
Why not let him get her husband? Imagine how afraid he was that some stranger took his wife? The terror ON TOP of what they had already suffered. So many are in shock and suddenly the military realize they cant get into tiny spaces and need these volunteer pilots they abused.
She seems to think that government has the ultimate authority over citizens- she's wrong. Thus is exactly why we need to stop asking government for help and start taking our responsibilities back.
@@roddodson9741 And NEVER give up our guns!
The fact that this man's hand isn't already on a mission to find itself across the face of that firefighter shows how strong of a will he has more than most.
Melton is a disgrace...and should be fired.
the Coward opened the door in the background
he better quit and run before we find him.
Big talk, never happen, that’s why we are where we are.
Thought that was him.
Oh good, someone else caught that too. What a jerk.
Hiding behind the Ladies.
@@WinstonSmithGPTkeyboard warriors.... Although people have gotten city employees fired.... But this is actually a case where they deserve it.... So naturally it won't happen!
IMAGINE if every journalist asked real questions like this!
Bravo, sir!
People like this need to removed of positions of authority. Shameful.
Let's start with Kamala. It is her husband who has his hands dirty with Black Rock which funds Albemarle who asked for federal and state mining rights to the land just 3 days before this castrophe. Hmmm...coincidental that his wife is the one with the power to approve the federal mining rights? Meanwhile his stick will go up substantially when approved. The loss of life for money. Makes you sick.
Unlike cops, FD's doesn't have qualified Immunity to ass whoopings
As a professional pilot, it always behooves me how these public servants we call first responders think they have authority over the FAA, aircraft and airspace! Nothing this man did was illegal. Even if it wasn’t an emergency evacuation or a natural disaster, we could have legally flew his helicopter up there and landed in those people’s yard! Any public servant not acting in the best interest of the public should be fired!!!! I love how he pokes his head in the room halfway through the interview! He should be ashamed of his actions!!!!
Where is our federal govt
This is a national tragedy our our leaders are no where to be found
WHY?????????
They were in LA attending a lavish dinner !
Not sure if autocorrect is to blame, but "Behoove" actually means "responsible" or "appropriate". I'm thinking you meant "bewilders"? I'm only telling you this because your comment is confusing so maybe edit.
I live in a hurricane prone area and almost all help is appreciated from our city and local govt. I've never heard of anyone being anything other than praised by local officials so this is weird to me.
Honestly the only explanation I could think of is he thought they already had a TFR, or they were working on it.
@@dustinglenn829there’s no way this fire chief understood aviation to the point of knowing what a TFR is. Also, if you violate a TFR you do NOT get arrested. Your certificate gets suspended potentially. The fact he wanted to arrest him shows he has no clue what airspace rules are.
If that “manager” was stuck up in that mountain for two days with just a bottle of water & a bag of chips, would SHE have insisted on an OFFICIAL rescue only?
I was thinking the same. Things would be soo different if they or their family were in danger.
Oh, she would have DEMANDED to be the first one rescued
Absolutely. This is disgusting. I understand the risks that may be possible when not left to "the professionals," but this is a life or death situation.
One thing to consider: the reason the officials require verification of training is because if they don’t they will have serious liability if someone is killed by a rescuer who doesn’t know what they are doing. So to everyone who thinks that anyone should be allowed to participate, what you should push for is a law shielding the county from liability in that situation. Then they will allow untrained people to help. But if that happens and one of your family members is killed during a rescue and you are told you can’t sue, you probably won’t be very happy…and you will be blaming those same officials for incompetence and saying “how could they let unqualified people rescue my family. “ just something to consider.
@@jjazman1234 understood, but the guy a veteran everything, pilot, firefighter, alot of other things....and he did coordinate with flight paths locally - pilots do know how to do that. The good news is the stupid ban was lifted as all the help in this particular area is civilian. yes main town centers have some FEMA food - great, however the remote folks are all getting supported by civilian volunteers. its necessary.
The Asst. Chief who is unavailable is shown opening and closing the door @ 9:32. Someone needs to really hold his feet to the fire!!
Hilarious. EDIT Actually @9.45 My bad, should have watched the whole clip.
He should be in Prison
I saw that!
EGO has no place in rescue relief efforts.
I'm betting it's money - not ego.
Not ego lost revenue. They charge 30 grand(at least) for rescues by air.
@@williamvalleau4156 Wow! That's pure theft.
@@vickydavis4748 park rangers charge for search and rescue too.
ego comes with the badge!
Lady, you are despicable. These volunteers were saving people. Where were you?
She was following her step by step how to guide!!! What a joke.
She was to busy screaming no one can take my chance to be Called hero away from Me ! Same with the fire Pig (there's Nothing "Rescue" about him!!!
Dumb, ignorant, egotistical Lake Lure Town Manager Olivia Stewman IS THE PROBLEM WITH local city and county governments ALL OVER AMERICA TODAY! People like Olivia Stewman are ignorant, arrogant, lacking common sense, illogical, irrational and often dishonest government types who are simply UNHELPFUL and UNNECESSARY TO HAVE AROUND...and We the People are PAYING THEM. Let all of that sink in folks and get more involved in your LOCAL AREA politics, elections, decision making and taxation/funding what government is doing!
Yep
1400 hrs of flight time, an ex police officer, ex fire fighter and this mouthy cnut who is city manager should be fired. She speaks highly of lovers like herself. Everyone should be sued and fired.
Never ASK THE GOVERNMENT FOR PERMISSION for ANYTHING. Just keep quiet and Do what your heart tells you to save people. The GOV is not your friend. The GOV is not here to help people.
You're parents really didn't love you huh
@@zootflute Just like you, the government has failed 🤷🤡🌎💯
@zootflute How does the government treat marijuana users, Mr Pot Head? 🤔 🙄
@@zootflute you sound jabbed & boosted 😂
@@dawnfire82 alcohol mutch more dangerous than marijuana, half of arrests & jailings are alcohol related. Are you boosted?
That city/town manager is a joke. The whole time she has a broken smoke alarm behind her. Can't even manage the room she is in.
The city manager made the dumbest excuse I've ever heard.
Anything to cover the ass of her followers. They are the most important. Everyone else is disposable, and can only be saved if they ALLOW it. Sounds like the governments finest.
@@Shredderof_POWDA we are, we're all just tax bunnies.
Too bad they didn't block DRONES and other autonomous vehicles. Its a big wide Internet so GG.
Just another Lying Beurocrate
Dumb, ignorant, egotistical Lake Lure Town Manager Olivia Stewman IS THE PROBLEM WITH local city and county governments ALL OVER AMERICA TODAY! People like Olivia Stewman are ignorant, arrogant, lacking common sense, illogical, irrational and often dishonest government types who are simply UNHELPFUL and UNNECESSARY TO HAVE AROUND...and We the People are PAYING THEM. Let all of that sink in folks and get more involved in your LOCAL AREA politics, elections, decision making and taxation/funding what government is doing!
I'm glad they showed the guys name and picture. The city hall and manager should be ashamed to make excuses instead of apologizing for making the rescue efforts less effective by not allowing the assistance
Did you see him pop his head in during the meeting? He literally showed his face on accident
@HolyRaviolii I saw that asshole too! What a joke.
well thank you for your opinion Mr disaster response expert
I had a chuckle because you could see that idiot fire chief peek in the door in the background. What a moron
How about someone drowning, do we need to go through the right channels to save them?? 🤔
Imagine getting angry at someone for rescuing someone - because you weren't the one to do it. That so-called fire chief needs to be fired. He's impeding rescue efforts, not helping. Please get him out of there before he causes more damage.
The overpaid clown who usually does nothing got a chance for some notoriety (and hefty overtime).
He's getting the attention he wanted. And the overtime.
Lake Lure has gone many decades without an emergency. Due to that, incompetent people have slowly taken over the positions of power! It is time to clean house again! We should shame people like this to never run for office. Assistant Chief Melton shouldn't be in charge of a dog washing business, much less a rescue effort!!
It’s very obvious it was an ego trip because he just could have said “Thank you for brining her in. Hey we need you to just coordinate with us when you go out again.”
8:31 speaking on safety yet she has a smoke alarm disconnected and hanging on the wall behind her.
Excellent work on behalf of the pilot - at no cost to the taxpayers.
They deserve to be reimbursed! Perhaps the government can claw back their misappropriation of funds for their illegal immigrant smuggling scheme!
Yet the ones threatening arrest are paid by taxpayers money. SMFH
@@paulhafner9781 the pilot-helicopter owner could submit a bill to the County Emergency Manager as there are funds for this. I doubt if he would
It's refreshing to see a reporter actually asking pointed questions and holding the government's feet to the fire rather than just blindly accepting their talking points as "facts". Well done.
he is white and probably a republican, they always hold their feet to the fire fool
maybe if they had done this for the past 60 years this nation wouldnt be such a third world sh!t hole
That’s because it’s local government. They don’t have much power to intimidate like the feds.
It was goddamn time.
God this infuriates me to no end! She is just speaking out of her backside. I hope that entire town removes these people from their positions.
Fire chief looks like he'd headbutt his wife if she forgot to put mayo in his tuna sandwich 😂😂😂
The reporter absolutely schooled this woman. Thank you sir.
Absolutely disgusting, that Lake Lure Assistant Chief Chris Melton needs to be removed from service & that Fire Department sued.
😂😂 she got served 🥂
God bless that man who helped them
During hurricane Harvey when our neighborhood flooded, in the middle of the night, like 3AM, we heard those swamp/fan boats going down our streets, rescuing people. Turns out it was the "Cajun Navy," volunteers from Louisiana who drove hundreds of miles in the middle of the night to save people in Houston. Thank God for them. They had capabilities that our local government did not have. The Cajun Navy didn't ask anyone for permission; they just drove up on the main street of our neighborhood and started rescuing people.
Cajun Navy is a term I never heard of. Absolutely love it!! Also, my husband worked for FEMA evaluating the damage to homes during Katrina and Wilma. He said Cajuns are some of the best people you want to meet.
When you see a bunch of airboat and flat boats from Louisiana show up you know the Cajun Navy has arrived. They come in, do what has to be done and don't care who gets the credit, because they know God knows. They are getting the job done.
I live just north of Houston and yes I remember we were all under water, it was a blessing to see the men from Louisiana with those big airboats going up and down those highways ,my son in law was a Houston Fireman , everyone worked together and glad to have help where ever they could find it, thank God for people with a good heart that will help his or her fellow brothers and sisters, that’s what life should be , no one should be doing it for recognition! Now Florida is in the path of another hurricane, please be praying for them also !!
UK - been watching this unfold, heartbreaking. And learned about the United Cajun Navy. I’m going to donate to them
Such a cowardly bunch of officials.
The fire chief has a hero complex - HE must be the one to save people. Anyone else steals his spot light.
He forgot the one saying - not all heroes wear capes…and he lived long enough to become the villain
‘You think his training was significantly improved overnight?” What a great question!
Olivia is a poor example for a spokesperson. Melton wanted to be the hero but got butt hurt when someone else was better prepared with better resources.
Bingo! That’s what it was about.
F' you Olivia, life safety trumps all rules and regs, Melton is a short sighted jackass who's impulsiveness endangered first responders to rescue the husband
And the coward pokes his head through the door while she was giving the interview!
@@Dan-yk6sy I thought I saw him do that. Thanks for confirming my suspicion.
Trying to absolve Melton, did just the opposite.
Imagine being on the jury for that pilot. No one would have convicted him.
You might be shocked...
@@bottomtothetop1280 I would hope that those that voted to convict never needed help from their neighbor. We definitely live in an upside-down world.
The problem is that he would still be in jail today waiting for that trial
Wrong. Any left leaning voter would support the state.
Jury's can be bought off. Especially when law enforcement or authority figures are involved.
It happens.
This boils my blood so fucking bad. "Not adequately trained" HE HAD TO GO THROUGH MORE TRAINING TO FLY THAT THING THAT YOU EVER HAD TO PLAY ASS COVERING DUTY FOR BUREAUCRATS
They can't allow people to realize how unnecessary they are
He was also a police officer and a veteran as well.
I'm with you there, brother- pure outrage!
My guy, rescue pilots with THOUSANDS of hours go down. As far as I know, he's just a private pilot, he was not trained for that scenario. Not saying they shouldn't have evaluated the risk/reward, but it is fair to say he wasn't adequately trained in high risk rescue with unstable ground and structures and bad communications.
The interviewer could have pressed on the training statement as right after the training statement the interviewer asked about pilots getting approval the next day with no training and she said they just need to go through the proper channels. When people stick to rules and policy they will eventually contradict themselves. What a higher lesson in being saved by rules and policy. For those who have ears let them hear.
@9:40 the "not available" asst chief opens the door behind the city manager and backs his coward butt outta there...the world we live in now...jeezus
Edit: just noticed the disabled smoke/ CO2 alarm above the door behind here at the fire chiefs office 😮
omg 😂😂😂😂😂😂
yea i noticed that too
Woooooooow
Is not disabled, is only easier to unplug when they smoke a big one in the office.
Federal crime?
BS!
We have a moral responsibility to take care of each other. For someone to step in and threaten to arrest someone for trying to save lives is despicable.
It is a proof of the agenda ongoing.
This is a very Christian area. Jesus said you have to follow the town policy when helping your fellow man.
It also says "Do unto others"...if you see someone in need and they ask for help. Do it Those are Jesus'words... I am a Christian and I would have gone back to get the man.
This is clearly a situation of pride of someone not doing the right thing and turning help away because of his ego.
@@melissas4874
I'm sorry but that either didn't happen, or is being misconstrued.
Fire the “assistant” fire chief and the city manager. What losers.
Properly speaking, that was attempted murder.
TOUCHÈ!
Keyword in "assistant" Is...
ASS
Volunteers are toxic cultures
@@WardDorrity you are exactly right
The real hero is the pilot and the fire chief should be thanking him !
Jody Barr, you did a good job of interviewing that lady city official with just the right questions. Better than our national news people do!
Hmmmm so saving life is a crime now! Sounds like this department needs to be shut down as the aid of citizens appear to be much more effective then this ego driven animal on a power trip!