Chattanooga, Tennessee City Council Committee Upholds Firing Of Firefighter With Twins

Chattanooga, TN -- A 3-member committee of the City Council on Wednesday upheld the firing of a female firefigher, who was terminated after she was off work over a year.

Christine Warren, who had reached the rank of lieutenant, was terminated last April 19 by Chief Jim Coppinger.

Phil Noblett, assistant city attorney, said she had used up her family leave and then her personal leave. He said she did not return to work despite a series of meetings with fire officials.

Attorney Jimmy Rodgers said she went off work due to a pregnancy, and she wound up having twins who were born prematurely. He said she stayed home to tend to the twins, noting they had health problems.

Then he said she later had postpartum depression.

Attorney Noblett said the city tried to work it out so that she and her husband, who is also a firefighter, were on different shifts.

The attorney said just this week he got a letter saying that the doctor will now allow her to come back to work.

Hearing the appeal were Council members Jack Benson, Leamon Pierce and Dan Page.

The case could be taken on up to Chancery Court.