ATLANTA --
The Atlanta Fire Department is under investigation after a former assistant chief accused the department of age discrimination.
Former Assistant Chief Michael Williams served Atlantas Station 1 for 41 years. After he was demoted to battalion chief, he decided to fight back.
"It was an insult. That was the greatest thing, the insult," Williams told Channel 2s John Bachman. "I've never had a negative performance evaluation since the city's been doing evaluations."
According to records, Williams is right. He was scored effective, highly effective or outstanding on every evaluation he was given.
Williams worked up through the ranks and eventually became assistant chief and the oldest firefighter with Atlanta Fire. He was in charge of more than 200 firefighters daily, until Interim Chief Joel Baker demoted Williams and two other senior officers last May.
Considering his record, Williams was stunned by the reasoning for the move.
"Four months later I get a performance evaluation, saying my performance was unacceptable and basically that was the reason for my demotion," Williams said.
About a month later, Kelvin Cochran returned to Atlanta to replace interim chief Baker. A fire department spokesman told Bachman that Cochran would not comment on pending litigation but noted that the incident happened on Bakers watch.
"In the history of the department, in all the time I've been there, I've never, ever seen an interim demote or promote senior, executive staff," Williams said.
Copyright 2011 by wsbtv.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
