March 27--A group of Decatur firefighters said Monday they're making years of private discontent public, accusing Chief Charlie Johnson of disregarding their safety, as well as that of residents.
The complaints and a request for a review of them were made Monday night during City Council's work session. Johnson was not mentioned by name because Council President Gary Hammon barred talking about individuals, a policy he said was invoked to avoid prejudicing the council.
Lt. Craig Corum, Decatur Firefighter Association president, said before the meeting that Johnson's lack of accountability and leadership, combined with six years of city inaction regarding firefighter safety concerns, brought the conflict to a head. Corum also said the firefighters wanted Johnson terminated, but that demand wasn't repeated publicly at the work session.
"The major responsibility as a leader is to provide for the safety of the public and the members of the fire department as well," Corum read from a prepared statement. "It is unfortunate to say, however, that if this department continues to operate how it has been and currently is, it's only a matter of time before we incur a major loss of life by either the citizens of Decatur and/or the members of the Decatur fire department.
"If you, the City Council, look into these issues, you will find all of them to be true and extremely disappointing."
Johnson's response
Johnson did not attend Monday's meeting. However, he said afterward that he would address the issues once he learned what they were.
"After the meeting Corum had with the mayor (in January), I asked him (Corum) what the issues were, but he told me he could not talk to me about them, that the association would not allow him to," Johnson said.
The city hired Johnson as fire chief in January 2002. He previously worked for the Cape Coral, Fla., Fire Department.
At the work session, Corum turned over to City Attorney Herman Marks a letter from the 83-member organization. Corum said it cited several incidents and issues concerning inadequate training and safety procedures.
Fire and Rescue has 127 full-time employees, but the number eligible to join the union was not available Monday. The department is the second largest in the city, with only the Police Department larger.
Corum asked the council to protect the union's members from any retaliation for coming forward with complaints.
The letter was not made available to the public. Marks and Mayor Don Stanford plan to review its allegations and respond. After the meeting, Stanford declined to comment on the matter, and Marks simply said the review "was what's best for the city."
Johnson said he planned to review the letter today and work to address the issues in it.
"I can't imagine what their safety concerns may be, but I do know I've tried to get the guys the best safety equipment and the best guidelines to go with it," Johnson said.
Roughly a dozen plain-clothed firefighters turned out at Monday's meeting to support the DFA's claims, but they offered no comment. Thomas Malone with the International Association of Firefighters in Washington, D.C., also spoke on behalf of the Decatur organization.
No 'knee-jerk' reaction
"This is not a knee-jerk reaction by Decatur Fire and Rescue's rank and file," Malone said. "I've personally been here several times to help work out problems, but it's been to no avail so far.
"These are valid problems that need to be addressed."
Hammon said the council would not be involved in the internal review unless Stanford took action and that action was appealed.
"This is an administrative problem, and the council is going to leave it to the person (Stanford) who is charge," Hammon said.
Personnel Director Ken Smith said: "The council doesn't need to be involved in this process because Chief Johnson is entitled to due process rights."
Johnson's annual salary is $67,392, which includes transportation.
Copyright 2012 - The Decatur Daily, Ala.
