'Toxic' Culture Leads to Exodus of Officers, Firefighters In Farmington, CA

A toxic culture at Farmington Fire Department led to the exodus of seasoned fire officers and firefighters.

Among those who walked away include two captains, the EMS chief, a battalion chief, an assistant chief and the majority of the volunteer firefighters. 

"The community is left with now a couple of hopeful and willing probationary firefighters, but they have no senior members there now. They can't even drive fire apparatus, so they had to have one of the board members that was involved in this, who was a former firefighter, I believe that he has his license to drive fire equipment," former Farmington EMS Chief Barry Hickerson told CBS Sacramento. 

Hickerson pulled the plug on his four decade career following the resignations of Battalion Chief Conni Bailey and Assistant Chief John Kalebaugh.

Bailey had 34 years on the job while Kalebaugh had 25.

"It was tragic to see what happened to them. I mean, the chief should've left with a retirement party, not being kicked to the curb..."

Hickerson cited a toxic culture and micromanaging as the causes for the exodus.

"I think anybody, you just couldn't work under those conditions where somebody is oppressive. They're over your shoulder every day, micromanaging what you're doing...I didn't feel the department was safe to function as a firefighter or EMS responder."