how do i handle this chief??

[KB1OEV]

Definitely time to go to the board.

Talk to the other people who have been fired, if you can get support from other currently employed firefighters then that will help too.

Get your stories straight and present facts, not opinions. Explain that the chief's behavior is harassment and that he has threatened you and for no justifiable reason.

Be ready for anything the chief might try to use to justify his actions, be they true or not.

Good luck and please keep us informed.

[pasobuff]

One question I ahve - how were these other people 'fired' - in VFD's that I have been involved with, you could be dropped from the active rolls for not meeting certain criteria (number calls, drill, etc).....or has this Chief just told them they were out without any backing?

Also - if I had been at that shower - I would have told him in no uncertain terms to LEAVE.....if he wasn't an invited guest, he didn't belong there - and as for moving things around - that is totally beyond anything he should be doing. Creepy too.....

[firefighter 432]

He sounds like a nut job. How did he become chief?

Very very small town. The fire board is made up of his relatives and good ole boy friends. Fire board members are also the mayor, police chief and school super.

[firefighter 432]

One question I ahve - how were these other people 'fired' - in VFD's that I have been involved with, you could be dropped from the active rolls for not meeting certain criteria (number calls, drill, etc).....or has this Chief just told them they were out without any backing?.

He takes their gear from their lockers (only he is allowed to go pov or have gear outside of the station) and changes the door combos. Then, they are sent registered letters that they have 7 days to return their radio or legal action will be taken against them for theft.

We have to meet 50% of all calls and 50% of all training. Last week, training was on Tues night, Wed night, Thursday night and Saturday all day. Thats a total of about 18 hours, and so 50% would be about 9 hours just for training. Often he also has all day Sunday training as well (such as this upcoming weekend). Leaves no time for personal life. Then, you just have to hope that 50% of the calls come while you are not working, at and appointment, church or store......

Failure to meet 50% is what got the others "fired". Most who stay, are divorced, as their spouses left them for putting the FD before family. 16 still on, 12 of the 16 are divorced, separated or having very serious marriage issues.

[BoxAlarm187]

My mind swims with thoughts and questions on this. In no random order:

• Does the chief have these people brainwashed? Why are the members willing to put up with a tyrant like this?
• How many of the remaining members are related to or friends with the chief?
• 18 hours of in-house training in a week?! How often is this nonsense going on?
• Do the members get any say in the direction of the department during monthly meetings?

I'd love to come out there and do an objective article about the department...

[notfruitybutloopy]

He takes their gear from their lockers (only he is allowed to go pov or have gear outside of the station) and changes the door combos. Then, they are sent registered letters that they have 7 days to return their radio or legal action will be taken against them for theft.

We have to meet 50% of all calls and 50% of all training. Last week, training was on Tues night, Wed night, Thursday night and Saturday all day. Thats a total of about 18 hours, and so 50% would be about 9 hours just for training. Often he also has all day Sunday training as well (such as this upcoming weekend). Leaves no time for personal life. Then, you just have to hope that 50% of the calls come while you are not working, at and appointment, church or store......

Failure to meet 50% is what got the others "fired". Most who stay, are divorced, as their spouses left them for putting the FD before family. 16 still on, 12 of the 16 are divorced, separated or having very serious marriage issues.

At putting the town at risk, I'd say if it's causeing so many members to be distraught on the home front, it'd be a great way to send a message by quitting, but alas this guy doesn't sound too keen to be left in charge of something by himself. But hey man, if he doesn't leave your place of buissness call the police, I'm sure some of your fellow co-workers would be keen to come down and drag him kicking and screaming out of your place of buisness. There ain't nothing he can do to you besides say "You're outta here." and while the town may burn in flames around you, think of what will happen when he realises no one got his back.

[105]

Very very small town. The fire board is made up of his relatives and good ole boy friends. Fire board members are also the mayor, police chief and school super.

You're screwed. Plain and simple. The only question left is, are you going down alone, or are you going to take him with you?

If the former, I don't blame you - small town politics are irritating at best. If the latter - take out an article in the local paper detailing the facts as they stand. Contact the individuals he fired and see if they'll stand with you. At this point, no amount of appeals to his buddies will make a difference - you need public opinion, and pressure, on your side. Just be aware that mud is flung both ways - you may have facts on your side, but it doesn't appear he has scruples on his. I wish you the best of luck - it's a pretty sh*tty position to be in.

[notfruitybutloopy]

You're screwed. Plain and simple. The only question left is, are you going down alone, or are you going to take him with you?

If the former, I don't blame you - small town politics are irritating at best. If the latter - take out an article in the local paper detailing the facts as they stand. Contact the individuals he fired and see if they'll stand with you. At this point, no amount of appeals to his buddies will make a difference - you need public opinion, and pressure, on your side. Just be aware that mud is flung both ways - you may have facts on your side, but it doesn't appear he has scruples on his. I wish you the best of luck - it's a pretty sh*tty position to be in.

If you do have to go down the road of take him down with me, his credibility is likely the worst thing you can take out first. Damaging his credibility makes him open to mistakes and can easily show that he's hiding something, thus if he does fall, his friends above him won't want to be by his side (Herp derp, i gonna side with corrupt fire chief, - one people try to avoid) Then go for a hard knock out, get any evidence you can that shows he is not qualified and release it, anything he says to you is fair game and you are expressing an opinion based on facts you have gathered.

Audio recordings are great, and a cheap web cam wired to a computer and a notice that says YOU MAY BE VIDEO TAPED PASS THIS POINT at your work place would be a great way to get evidence that contradicts what ever he says.

Next part is timing. You have to make the first move but so does the other guy. This is kinda hard, you have to present yourself to have no basis on your accusations while not lying you don't have evidence, so record him being in your place of buisness illegaly and destroy his credibility, and you got it