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@meecho68- Since you spoke about this and obviously unclear and misinformed about what happened with my son. Dating back to the day of the incident, June 30th I questioned this. I questioned the very first day WHY my son was told to move a trailer he knew absolutely nothing about. My son was fighting everyday for his life. 15 days of surgeries and not knowing. We stayed with him 24/7. Our fight then was with him, praying he would survive.

I have absolutely brought up in city council meetings to hold the people responsible for my son’s death accountable. Fire chief Wylam and division chief Howe. They are the two individuals that are responsible for training, safety and supervision. They are also responsible for making sure of proper maintenance on equipment also. Has I ask for accountability, your mayor felt fit to approve a perfect performance review to his appointed chief just months after my son died. We fought for changes that lead to my sons death, a sole training chief, a sole safety chief and 18 firefighters to fill a grossly inadequate department. ALL of which the fire chief AND mayor fought back on, yet now brags to local media of having it in place.

85% of the firefighters have no trust in the fire chief. All 4 commissioners agree the fire chief needs outside help. 3 commissioners have no trust he should remain in his current position. Your mayor even agrees and has a communication coach working with Wylam.

I personally have to continually show up to city council meetings because I have asked for accountability and have not yet received that. Unfortunately it is up to the mayor to hold his fire chief accountable and he refuses to do that. He continues to fail, just as the fire chief failed. He continues to minimize the failures in the departments leadership and the death of my son.

You speak of Austin as if you knew him. You don’t. You speak about the department as if you work there. You don’t. You speak of these long meetings as if you are there. You’re not. It isn’t the handful of people speaking at public comment that puts these meetings at 5 hours. We are few and have only 4 minutes each. What makes these meetings long is the obvious poor planning and management, and arguments that last 90 minutes over a turn lane, balconies or noise ordinance and award ceremonies.

So to point out that no one has asked for accountability to the individuals that are responsible for the death of my son, Sean Wylam and John Howe is untrue. To point out ‘blood’ on the mayors hands is valid. His inaction shows his lack of leadership and understanding to hold NO ONE accountable. I don’t show up to city council for ‘fame’ and I am greatly offended that you had the audacity to even speak upon that. I show up because my son is dead. He was a great kid, an awesome firefighter and also did what he was asked to do. He had a promising career and a bright future. I was robbed of my son. He was robbed of his life. Robbed of becoming a husband, a father. I will continue to show up and yes, repeat myself until I get the answers that I want. Accountability!!

Do you think the mayor has done a good job in holding the management team of the fire department accountable?