VOLUSIA EXPOSED.COM

FIRE FIGHTER ROY RAWLINS' PERSONNEL BOARD HEARING THE LESSON: DAMNED IF YOU DO - DAMNED IF YOU DON'T

Updated August 27, 2012

"Every organization rests upon a mountain of secrets." - Julian Assange

THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY HOURS IN A DAY On August 21, 2012 - VolusiaExposed.Com attended the Personnel Board of Fire Fighter Lt. Roy Rawlins. Lt. Rawlins had been demoted from Captain to Lieutenant, due to his alleged failure to properly follow VCFS policies in the destruction of expired prescription medications. The initial incident transpired in June of 2010 - however, due to Rawlins' military duties, his appeal process was delayed until August of 2012. On June 2, 2010 - then Captain Rawlins was assigned to perform two important tasks for that day. First, he was to visit twenty three fire stations within Volusia County and exchange out prescription medications that had either already expired, or would soon expire within the next day. Second, he was ordered to escort a State inspector around to several of the fire stations. Captain Rawlins did advise his supervisor, without success, that it was his belief, that both tasks could not be effectively accomplished by one employee within the allotted time frame. Lt. Rawlins advised VolusiaExposed.Com that if done properly, the medication exchange takes approximately 20-30 minutes per Fire Station, depending on how many fire trucks are assigned to the station. Therefore, the task of properly exchanging the medications out would take up a single employee's entire work day. During the personnel board hearing, the County argued that Captain Rawlins could have effectively escorted the State Inspector, and properly accomplished the medication exchange. However, Rawlins advised the personnel board that the State inspector was demanding his personal participation in the inspection process. THE LESSON: DAMNED IF YOU DO - DAMNED IF YOU DON'T But if you must be damned, be damned for doing what's right ! VolusiaExposed.Com believes that Captain Rawlins made a poor decision on June 2, 2010. We believe that he should have refused to take on more responsibility than he could have accomplished within the policies of the VCFS. Yes, he might have been disciplined for insubordination - but he would not have damaged his reputation with his fellow fire fighters, by having them falsify documents. However, Lt. Rawlins appears to be a very honorable man, we suspect that he has learned a very valuable lesson regarding the County Administration, and we further suspect that his reputation with his peers will be quickly repaired. WAS THE POLICY BEING FOLLOWED BY ANYONE? Ironically, the testimonies given at the personnel board tend to indicate that very few individuals were properly following VCFS Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG)) in the destruction of expired medications. According to the below listed VCFS SOG, the medication was to be emptied into the biohazard container. The testimony seems to support a loose practice of "wasting" the medications, either in the grass or down the sink. VCFS SOG for Controlled Substance Accountability CONCLUSION We invite you to review both the attached videos and supportive documentation, and then to decide for yourself whether Lt. Rawlins received fair treatment from Volusia County administrators.

OPENING County's Opening Statement WITNESS Chief Pozzo - Part 1 of 3 Chief Pozzo - Part 3 of 3 Witness 1 - part 1 Witness 2 CLOSING County's Closing Statement BOARD

STATEMENTS Rawlins' Opening Statement TESTIMONIES Chief Pozzo - Part 2 of 3 Director Coffin testifies Witness 1 - part 2 Witness 3 STATEMENTS Rawlins' Closing Statement DELIBERATIONS Personnel Board deliberations

CAPTAIN RAWLINS' INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTS

Click here - Fire Service Incident Report Filed on Captain Rawlins alleged misconduct

Click here - To review requests for an investigation into the drug scandal

Click here - Internal Affairs Report September 14, 2010

Click here - Internal Affairs Memo September 21, 2010

Click here - to read Captain Rawlins' demotion

Florida Fire Fighter's Bill of Rights - reference rights fire fighters have while under investigation for misconduct

VCFS Standard Operating Guidelines for Controlled Substance Accountability

Witnesses official notifications to testify

Testimony of Captain Rawlins

Testimony of Deputy Fire Chief Pocica - First interview

Testimony of Deputy Fire Chief Pocica - Second interview

Testimony of Deputy Fire Chief Pocica - Third interview

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Fiorina

Testimony of Division Fire Chief Bailey

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Frazier

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Davis

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Brennan

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Gilmore

Testimony of Deputy Fire Chief Weaver

Testimony of Battalion Commander Inglett

Testimony of Captain Kamine

Testimony of Lt. Huber

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Heinze

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Karaginis

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Lucas

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Smitherman

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Laundrie

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Kelly

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Pinkerton

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Pronovost

Testimony of Fire Fighter / Paramedic Nordquist



-------------------------------------------------------------



-------------------------------------------------------------

Additional concerns surrounding the Volusia County Sheriff's Department VCSO deputy supplies underage females with alcohol. VCSO deputy sexually approaches female prisoner? Sex and the Badge Extra-martial affairs within the VCSO? VCSO deputy engaging in sexual relationship, while on duty? VCSO deputy attempts romantic relationship with felony suspect? VCSO deputy sexually assaults handcuffed woman. VCSO deputy reprimanded for domestic violence arrest VCSO Frangiamore-Carper murder-suicide incident Sadly, additional concerns can be reviewed on VX's home page

If you found this article to be thought provoking, we (VolusiaExposed.Com) invite you to review, the below linked, Special Investigative Report, exposing law enforcement corruption with the State of Florida. SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE'S SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE SERIES ON LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRUPTION UNFIT FOR DUTY by Matthew Doig and Anthony Cormier Tarnished badge, flawed system Police unions / political clout Predator in uniform? What the personnel files reveal Problems and solutions Flagrant abuses invite little scrutiny Problem officers still find work How serious offenses go unreported Sworn to protect....their pensions Governor investigates CJSTC

We look forward to your comments on this situation - drop us a line to let us know what you think.

EMAIL US ------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow Us on FACEBOOK too - LIKE our FB page and send us your comments