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Former Okla. Fire Chief Gets Notice of Termination

Jan. 18, 2013

Calling it the most distressing personnel action he's taken as Waurika City Manager, Chuck Brown terminated the employment of longtime firefighter and former Waurika Volunteer Fire Department Chief Johnny Berry.

Source Waurika News-Democrat, Okla.

Jan. 16--WAURIKA -- Calling it the most distressing personnel action he's taken as Waurika City Manager, Chuck Brown terminated the employment of longtime firefighter and former Waurika Volunteer Fire Department Chief Johnny Berry.

Acting on a directive from members of the Waurika City Commission, Brown said on Jan. 9 he gave Berry two weeks notice.

"It's a personnel decision, so our city attorney (David Hammond) advised me I can't discuss much about it. But I can confirm there has been a job action involving Johnny," Brown said on Friday. "Nobody hates it more than I do. Johnny and I have been friends for years. We joined the (fire) department at the same time."

Berry, 51, joined the WVFD over 22 years ago. He spent several years as assistant fire chief, then advanced to fire chief when Brown became city manager in 2007.

Two years ago, diabetes resulted in Berry having his right leg surgically removed. At that time, he gave up the fire chief position but remained in the department as a paid firefighter.

Brown said Berry "doesn't have much sick pay coming, but we will pay him for his comp and vacation time."

Although there is no fixed number for personnel on the WVFD staff, Brown said Berry would be replaced.