LEDYARD, Conn. -- In response to Ledyard's assistant fire chief being suspended pending an investigation, Ledyard volunteer firefighters have refused to answer emergency calls.
Fire Chief Michael McKernan suspended Assistant Fire Chief Jeffery Gaccione following a crash that occurred last Thursday.
In his suspension letter to Gaccione, McKernan said the assistant fire chief displayed "conduct unbecoming of an officer" and didn't provide "a reasonably safe working environment." He also suggests in the letter that the response time wasn't good enough.
But store clerk Jennifer Smith, who witnessed the crash, said emergency crews were right there.
"When I came out they were already here," she said. "Within minutes, 10 minutes."
In the meantime, McKernan has asked volunteers from the Gales Ferry Fire Company to respond to incidents as a backup.
Mayor Fred Allyn said the town just wants to be covered.
"With the career firefighters and enough volunteers to respond, we're going to be OK," he said.
Taxpayers said it's a shame if the volunteers are holding back for personal reasons.
"It's one thing to support a guy, but to not go out when people's houses could be burning and in danger? That's not right," taxpayer Bob Ellal said.
There's also an election for the fire chief next month, which includes Jeffery Gaccione.
Republished with permission of WFSB-TV.
