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Hartford Fire chief emails department about DUI checkpoint

HARTFORD–Hartford’s Fire Department is under scrutiny again after Chief Carlos Huertas alerted the department to a city DUI checkpoint. On Friday, Huertas...
hartford fire department

HARTFORD–Hartford’s Fire Department is under scrutiny again after Chief Carlos Huertas alerted the department to a city DUI checkpoint.

On Friday, Huertas forwarded information about the checkpoint to a fire department listserv with the note, “FYI.” The entire email can be read below.

FYI,

Subject: DUI Checkpoint.

Respectfully submitted,

Carlos M. Huertas
Fire Chief, Emergency Management Director
Hartford Fire Department
Hartford Public Safety Complex

The email comes after a tumultuous 18 months at the department. Several firefighters were placed on administrative leave for alcohol-related offenses. Recently, firefighter Cinque Scott resigned from the department after his fourth DUI arrest.

In response to the email, Huertas told the Hartford Courant, “I never did it before but I did it this time because I thought it was informative.”

Huertas’ email was followed by another curious move on Friday. Fire department Lieutenant Raul Ortiz was removed from his position. Sources close to the department said the move means Ortiz will no longer act as the department public information officer and spokesperson.

Sources also told Fox CT that Ortiz’s removal came shortly after he returned from a trip to Atlanta for media training, which was paid for by the city.

Chief Huertas did not respond to requests for a comment on this story.

For more on recent incidents involving the Hartford Fire Department click here.

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