Fake firefighter showed up at disasters

DickHardman · 09-09-2007, 04:14 PM

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - James Campbell seemed to relish being a firefighter, showing up in uniform at the World Trade Center, train wrecks, the aftermaths of hurricanes including Katrina and wildfires.

He even posed for his driver's license photo in a Los Angeles County firefighter's uniform.

The problem is, authorities say, he was never a firefighter.

Police arrested Campbell on Friday on suspicion of impersonating a firefighter, possession of stolen property and being a felon in possession of firearms.

Inside his apartment, officers said, they found a pile of official gear: dress uniform, flight suit, yellow firefighting suit, department patches, fire helmet, wallet badge and an L.A. County Fire Department radio. On Campbell's walls were hundreds of framed photos of him at disaster sites in uniform, authorities said.

"This is a guy who really wanted to be a firefighter. He wanted to act as a hero," Orange County Deputy District Attorney Andre Manssourian said.

Campbell even created a DVD of some of his firefighting excursions, which may have been used to promote his business, Frontline Safety Products, which sold safety equipment and taught first aid courses, mostly to construction companies and government agencies, Manssourian said.

Despite his efforts, Campbell had no chance of being a real firefighter. While working as a paramedic in Arizona, he was convicted of credit card fraud in 1987. His paramedic's license was revoked and the felony would have prevented him from joining the Los Angeles County Fire Department, authorities said.

"The public puts a lot of trust in firefighters," said Fire Department spokesman Sam Padilla. "People don't think twice about an unknown man with big baggy clothes or a uniform. It's a shame that someone is pretending to be a firefighter to take that trust and bend it, distort it."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070908/...PlkL.o6x4uQE4F

DickHardman · 09-09-2007, 04:15 PM

this story is pretty funny, but do you guys think this guy is a hero or criminal for what he did? maybe he really did help out at some of these disasters.

Tom Yum · 09-10-2007, 01:30 PM

I think he should have applied for a job with the local fire department but seeing that he committed fraud earlier on, was unable to become a firefighter I think he was doing the wrong thing.

09-09-2007, 04:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
DickHardman Master Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,055	Fake firefighter showed up at disasters HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - James Campbell seemed to relish being a firefighter, showing up in uniform at the World Trade Center, train wrecks, the aftermaths of hurricanes including Katrina and wildfires. He even posed for his driver's license photo in a Los Angeles County firefighter's uniform. The problem is, authorities say, he was never a firefighter. Police arrested Campbell on Friday on suspicion of impersonating a firefighter, possession of stolen property and being a felon in possession of firearms. Inside his apartment, officers said, they found a pile of official gear: dress uniform, flight suit, yellow firefighting suit, department patches, fire helmet, wallet badge and an L.A. County Fire Department radio. On Campbell's walls were hundreds of framed photos of him at disaster sites in uniform, authorities said. "This is a guy who really wanted to be a firefighter. He wanted to act as a hero," Orange County Deputy District Attorney Andre Manssourian said. Campbell even created a DVD of some of his firefighting excursions, which may have been used to promote his business, Frontline Safety Products, which sold safety equipment and taught first aid courses, mostly to construction companies and government agencies, Manssourian said. Despite his efforts, Campbell had no chance of being a real firefighter. While working as a paramedic in Arizona, he was convicted of credit card fraud in 1987. His paramedic's license was revoked and the felony would have prevented him from joining the Los Angeles County Fire Department, authorities said. "The public puts a lot of trust in firefighters," said Fire Department spokesman Sam Padilla. "People don't think twice about an unknown man with big baggy clothes or a uniform. It's a shame that someone is pretending to be a firefighter to take that trust and bend it, distort it." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070908/...PlkL.o6x4uQE4F

09-10-2007, 01:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tom Yum Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Here and there. Posts: 11,218	I think he should have applied for a job with the local fire department but seeing that he committed fraud earlier on, was unable to become a firefighter I think he was doing the wrong thing. __________________ The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. Slow is fast; fast is slow. Love it, leave it or fix it. Last edited by Tom Yum; 09-10-2007 at 01:37 PM.

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09-09-2007, 04:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
DickHardman Master Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,055	this story is pretty funny, but do you guys think this guy is a hero or criminal for what he did? maybe he really did help out at some of these disasters.

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