KCFD firefighter in fatal Westport crash can return to work

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Dominic Biscari, the 23-year-old Kansas City firefighter who was involved in a deadly fire truck crash in 2021, can return to work as a Kansas City firefighter.

KCTV5 has learned through several sources that Biscari will be able to return to work later this month after being fired from the department in February of last year. Details surrounding his return to work are unclear.

Multiple emails to both the city and fire department remain unanswered regarding Biscari’s employment. KCTV5 has allowed more than 48 hours for a response. KCTV5 Investigates has now filed Sunshine requests for information. KCTV5 has asked if Biscari has driving privileges and asked for employment dates which will potentially reveal information surrounding backpay. But other issues surrounding Biscari’s personnel file will remain private.

Biscari crashed a pumper truck in Westport on December 15, 2021. Three people died in that crash. He was fired by the city and faced criminal charges. But his attorney vowed to help the firefighter get his old job back, saying Dominic was devastated by the crash and his client was the victim of a perfect storm created by poor city and department policies.

We reached out to attorney Kevin Regan who represents Biscari.

“I respectfully decline to comment,” Regan told KCTV5 Investigates during a phone call. “Your questions concern a confidential and closed personnel matter.”

Crash History

The pumper was speeding and ran a red light with lights and sirens on when it crashed into a car, continuing on, knocking a pedestrian into a building. That building collapsed about a minute later.

The crash trapped a Honda CRV under the pumper, killing the driver, Jennifer San Nicolas, and a passenger, Michael Elwood.

The pedestrian, Tami Knight, was also killed. She was waiting on the sidewalk while her boyfriend was unlocking his car.

Biscari was charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter. He took what is known as an Alford Plea, meaning he did not admit guilt but acknowledged a judge or jury would likely find him guilty. He was sentenced to three years of supervised probation and was then fired by the city.

A previous KCTV5 investigation revealed Biscari had previously crashed an ambulance and crashed his personal vehicle into a KCPD police cruiser at the firehouse before the fatal crash. There was also an email from a co-worker warning about his driving with the subject line “horrendous driving.”

READ MORE: New police audio reveals what KCFD knew about young driver before he crashed fire pumper

Records and audio show the email was sent to two supervisors, but no one ever followed up with Biscari himself.

Other factors in the crash

The KCPD investigative report revealed other factors that night, shedding light on how deficiencies within the Fire Department in three key areas were factors in the crash—staffing, training, and communication.

Dispatch audio revealed the truck had been told to stand down about a minute earlier, but it just kept going. Biscari and other firefighters on the truck didn’t hear it because they were on a different channel.

Biscari’s attorney pointed out the city lacked uniform mandatory training for Biscari and other KCFD drivers. He also says the city is aware that Broadway and Westport is a dangerous intersection, and has failed to make it safer despite commissioning several studies.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Opticom: The safety system that didn’t work in KC, and the city won’t talk about

KCTV5′s investigative team also reported on the city’s Opticom system, which switches traffic lights for first responders to clear a safe path.

Kansas City has an incomplete system. Pumper 19 had an Opticom transponder; but it didn’t matter. The city never installed a receiver at Broadway and Westport.

The firefighter’s union, Local 42, filed a grievance as a result saying the city failed to provide a safe workplace.

What has changed?

KCFD changed its red light policy about a year ago. The new directive requires all KCFD vehicle operators on an emergency response to make a complete stop when they, among other things, are at red traffic lights, at stop signs, at blind intersections, or when intersection hazards are present.

The directive goes on to say the use of lights, sirens, and air horns does not automatically give the right of way to emergency vehicles and that KCFD operators must drive defensively, to be prepared for the unexpected or inappropriate actions of others.

READ MORE: KCFD changed red light policy following Westport crash

The directive states that KCFD is committed to providing the safest work environment for its employees and citizens.

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