First responders are the last people anyone would expect to find
publicly intoxicated, especially when it comes to performing their jobs. But that is exactly
how one volunteer fire chief was found to be when he arrived to the scene
of a recent fire drunk. Port Vue fire chief, Cash Cortazzo, was initially
charged with
public intoxication, but had the charge reduced to disorderly conduct during his court appearance.
He was given a $100 fine and was ordered to remain in the alcohol rehab
program in which he was already enrolled before the incident.
On September 17th of this year, Cortazzo was called to a house fire that had ignited on
Tacoma Avenue, but when he arrived officers on the scene claim he was
slurring his speech and stumbling as he walked. The call that Cortazzo
made to 911 reporting the fire also provided proof of his
intoxication as the Port Vue Chief of Police stated that the Fire Chief's speech
was incoherent as he spoke. It was reported that he didn't seem to
know the location of the fire, or what fire companies he was supposed
to be calling in – all basic information for a fire chief to give
during such a call.
Cortazzo was charged with
public drunkenness after officers and other first responders asked him to leave. But according
to the Chief of Police, the issue was less about Cortazzo's drunkenness
in and of itself and more about the public safety. But the Chief also
made a point of not minimizing the importance of Cortazzo remaining enrolled
in the rehab program.
Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100
Criminal Defense Lawyer and
Personal Injury Attorney with offices in
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and
Morgantown West Virginia.
If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or seriously injured
in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at
412-315-7441,
24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a
Civil Case.