Chillicothe Fire Chief Bruce Vaughan will resume his job after the city's Civil Service Commission voted yesterday to overturn his firing.
Vaughan's lawyer called the decision a vindication.
"He's excited to return to the work he loves, protecting the people of Chillicothe, which may be as early as tomorrow," John C. Camillus said yesterday.
Vaughan was placed on a two-month unpaid suspension in April before being fired by Mayor Jack Everson, who cited "inefficient and ineffective management."
The move came after the mayor learned of expired safety certifications on dozens of air bottles, which had not been inspected. Everson noted other incidents on Vaughan's watch, including a smoke-detection and alarm system at the main fire station that wasn't working for more than a year.
Camillus argued that the incidents did not warrant termination and that the mayor was targeting the fire chief.
The commission's vote upheld the two-month unpaid suspension. Camillus expects that the chief will receive three months of back pay.
Everson could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The chief doesn't have substantial daily interaction with the mayor, so "hopefully there won't be any trouble with his transition back to work," Camillus said.
Vaughan joined the force in 1973 and had been chief for 16 years, making $81,474 a year.
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