DeKalb Chief Talks About Firefighters Accused of Drinking

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - There was a major shake-up Monday night at the DeKalb County Fire Department. Several firefighters were demoted and one deputy chief retired following allegations that some of the firefighters were drinking on the job.

The lengthy investigation involved 10 DeKalb County firefighters, including the interim fire chief. The investigation involved the firefighters' alleged behavior during a major snow and ice storm that hit Metro Atlanta back in January.

The investigation started when a couple of captains noticed at least three firefighters with open containers of beer at Fire Station 24 on Redan Road.

Public Safety Director William Miller said no one was drinking on the job, but that several firefighters went to two establishments, Savage Pizza and Twain's bar in Decatur, and drank. The firefighters then showed up for work eight hours early. Miller said the firefighters intended to sleep the alcohol off.

William Corbett, Joshua Crawford, Marcus Reed and Joseph Tinsley, Jr. were demoted as a result of the investigation. Captain Allan Garcia was suspended for 24 hours. Deputy Chief William Smith, Jr. was exonerated, but he announced his retirement Tuesday.

"Just meeting with them today, they were all sincere in apologizing to the department, the county and the citizens. They didn't just let me down, I mean, they let everybody down. They know they did wrong and they were upset and they took their corrective action that they received. We're [going to] move on from there," said Interim Fire Chief Edward O'Brien.

O'Brien said the investigation is now closed and no one will be fired as a result.