Fight between Stamford fire volunteer commander Shawn Fahan and fire professional Chief William Smith

Authorities in Stamford, Connecticut are investigating an incident involving a scuffle between a volunteer fire chief and a fire and rescue deputy chief.

The incident occurred around 10:25 p.m. on December 21, while the men were responding to a fire call at a house on Parry Court.

According to reports, both professional and volunteer fire staff had responded to the call of smoke coming from the basement. 

Springdale Fired Company Chief Shawn Fahan responded to the call first and he determined that the smoke was coming from a malfunctioned furnace.  He later concluded that the home was safe for its occupants and told firefighters to return to their stations.

Reports say at that moment, Stamford Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief William Smith arrived at the scene and began to oversee the 21 firefighters, who were called from three fire engines.

Fahan, who had appointed Turn of River Fire Department Chief Frank Jacobellis safety officer for the call, told Smith the incident was under control and he was not needed and asked him to leave.

Smith is believed to have questioned Jacobellis’ qualifications and argued with Fahan over the decision saying that volunteer companies have never provided their credentials to Stamford Fire & Rescue so they can determine who is capable of doing jobs they are assigned.

 As the argument progressed, Fahan called for police claiming that Smith was being “insubordinate” and interfering with operations at the house.

Fahan claimed that Smith then pushed him and he called police for a second time asking them to respond quickly because he was just assaulted.

Smith, who is a 30-year veteran of the department, denies the accusation.

Although no charges were filed, the incident is being investigated.

According to the Stamford Advocate, the incident comes amid tensions between the professional and volunteer fire staffs as plans for new fire department in the north of the city, consisting of new professional firefighters and the city’s existing volunteer companies all merged into one district, are being considered for implementation.