MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - The Memphis Fire Department is at the center of an investigation after two fire trucks drove onto part of a runway at Memphis International airport while planes were taking off.
The Federal Aviation Administration and Memphis Airport Authority are trying to verify if the firefighters involved were even qualified to be there.
Memphis firefighters working at the airport are required to have a series of special qualifications and training. Truth is sources tell us many of the men stationed there don't. That special training is supposed to prevent things like what happened three days ago.
A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration would only say the agency is investigating why two fire trucks crossed what's called a hold line. That's the area that crosses runways.
Sources tell ABC 24 News that a pilot saw the fire trucks in the runway where they weren't supposed to be and radioed ground control about the dangerous situation.
Attorney Brenda Oates-Williams said, "This is a serious infraction putting the public at danger and they should know that."
Oates-Williams isn't surprised to hear what happened. She represents MFD Lt. Reggie Davis, who used to work at the airport fire station.
"They had him out there and he knew he wasn't qualified to be on airport property. He was like, 'Look, I'm not qualified.'"
Oates-Williams says more than a year ago Davis brought it to the attention of fire department bosses that he and other firefighters weren't qualified to work at the airport. Davis claims they retaliated against him.
"Others are out there that are not completely qualified and if something happens because of lack of qualifications it's going to be catastrophic for the public and the public is going to pay for it."
We wanted to know what happened to the firefighters involved in Friday night's incident. Sources say they were banned from working at airport fire stations and had their security badges confiscated.
Truth is no one from the Memphis Fire Department will answer any questions about this situation. Instead they'll only say it's under investigation.
