Toledo Councilman Larry Sykes apologized on Tuesday after he came under fire from first responders, community members, and fellow elected officials for a post on social media criticizing the time it took for Toledo firefighters to respond to an emergency.
“I want to publicly apologize for a post I made on Saturday evening after assisting a woman that tipped over in her wheelchair behind Government Center,” the at-large councilman said in a written statement. “After feedback from our firefighters and community members, I learned that the tone of the post implied that our firefighters do not respond to calls for service in a timely manner. That was not my intent.”
The Facebook post included several photos of a woman lying in distress on the sidewalk near North Huron and Orange streets, near the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department’s administration building. Mr. Sykes wrote that he pulled over and called 911 for assistance when he saw the woman as he was leaving the downtown government building Thursday.
“Would you believe the assistant came from almost a mile away from the station on Huron and mulberry! The lady was crying and screaming I believe she broke her arm and I had to yell to them to cover her with a d.. blanket,” he wrote. “Unbelievable, can’t wait until I get to the government center Tuesday.”
The post drew comments from many, including Toledo Fire Chief Brian Byrd, who took issue with the implication that the rescue crews were not properly performing their duties.
Pvt. Sterling Rahe, spokesman for the fire department, said Monday that Station 1 is the administrative building and does not have any apparatuses that can respond to emergencies. The department uses an automated system that identifies the most-appropriate and closest-available rigs to be dispatched, he said.
The call for help came in at 3:06 p.m. Thursday and crews were on scene at 3:09 p.m.
“From our standpoint, it was a good run," he said. "The crews did a great job, and the system worked as far as sending the closest crew. We understand there are times it feels like it takes forever, especially when you’re standing with someone who needs help.”
He noted two officers from the EMS bureau in the nearby government center were there before fire crews arrived.
"You can see one of our captains, who is also a paramedic, in one of the councilman's photos," Private Rahe said. "He's rendering treatment and on the radio with the incoming crew to let them know what they need."
Firefighters Local 92 also took issue with the councilman’s comments and questioned why an elected official appeared not to know Station 1 is an administrative building. The union’s downtown billboard at South Erie and Washington streets on Tuesday read: “Confused? This is not a fire station either.”
#Unionstrong @ToledoFire @13abc @WTOL11Toledo @NBC24WNWO @FOXToledo @toledonews @Ohio_pro_ffs @IAFFNewsDesk pic.twitter.com/qlGVL8gwhF
— Toledo Firefighters IAFF Local 92 (@IAFF92) February 18, 2020
Council President Matt Cherry issued a statement Tuesday, before Mr. Sykes apologized, thanking the emergency crews for responding to the incident so quickly.
“Our firefighters used the same speed and professionalism we can expect in all emergency situations,” he wrote.
At-large Councilman Katie Moline also commented on the situation Tuesday at the end of city council’s 2 p.m. meeting. Ms. Moline’s husband works for the fire department and is a Local 92 member.
“Our fire department went on over 59,000 runs last year, and they run into burning buildings, they address medical calls. They are there on our worst days, so I just want to salute them and tell them that I am grateful for them,” she said.
Soon after, Mr. Sykes issued his apology.
“Our firefighters responded to this call within 3 minutes of the initial call and while I was on the phone requesting service. I have the utmost respect for our firefighters, who are ready and willing to risk their lives every day for our community. Our city employees take pride in public service and the work they do each day on behalf of our community,” he wrote. “I am appreciative of their service and will be mindful of the tone of my post to ensure the message does not convey otherwise.”
Blade staff writer Alexandra Mester contributed to this report.
First Published February 19, 2020, 1:55 a.m.
