Dec 12, 2008 6:12 am US/Eastern
NYC Firefighter Accused Of Calling In False Alarms
Investigators: Nicholas Vrettos May Have Been Reacting To Announced Overnight Closure Of His Firehouse
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
His job is to save people and buildings from fire.
But a New York City firefighter was arrested Thursday, accused of making false alarms to try to save his firehouse from department budget cuts.
CBS 2 HD later found out fellow firefighters are standing by their brother.
Outside Bronx Criminal Court on Thursday night, firefighter Nicholas Vrettos, surrounded by his attorney, mother and girlfriend, dodged CBS 2 HD cameras and questions.
Vrettos, who turned himself into police Wednesday night, is charged with making false alarms to his firehouse, Ladder Co. 53 on City Island.
Prosecutors said the fake calls were made shortly after Ladder 53 was named among four firehouses to close during overnight hours due to FDNY budget cuts. Officials said they are the least busy houses in the city, and nearby companies could cover more easily at night when there is less traffic.
"These changes amount to reduced staffing, less than 1 percent," FDNY Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said last week.
The city's Department of Investigations is still trying to determine what kinds of calls were made. It did accuse the firefighter
of reporting a fake fire in a school cafeteria to protest the budget cuts that prompted the closings.
The school was open when the call was made.
Investigators said the call was made from an auto body shop run by the firefighter. There was no phone number listed under his name.
The department sais it's investigating other fake 911 calls.
On Thursday night at Ladder Co. 53 fellow firefighters were instructed not to comment.
"We have nothing to say on anything," one firefighter said.
"I work with him, but I have nothing else to say. ...He's a great guy. He's a nice guy," added another.
Vrettos, a six-year veteran of the FDNY, has no history of legal trouble, according to the judge who released the 30-year-old firefighter on his own recognizance.
Vrettos has been suspended from his duties and will be back in court in February. If found guilty, he could face up to seven years in prison.
Please stay with CBS 2 HD and wcbstv.com for more on this developing story.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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