ID Chief on Administrative Leave over 'Personnel Issue'

Boise Fire Chief Dennis Doan remains with the department, but no details were given as to what prompted city officials to place him on paid leave.

By Ruth Brown and Hayley Harding

Source The Idaho Statesman

March 3, 2020

2 min read

Boise Fire Chief Dennis Doan was placed on administrative leave Monday over a “personnel issue,” according to officials.

Boise Fire Department spokeswoman Char Jackson confirmed Monday afternoon that Doan is still employed with the department and that his leave is paid. She said she did not have information as to why Doan was put on leave or who would replace him as interim chief.

Jackson also could not say who made the decision to put Doan on leave. The fire chief and all department directors serve at the will of Mayor Lauren McLean, by and with the consent of the Boise City Council.

“Though I cannot comment on the details of personnel issues, I can confirm that Chief Doan has been placed on administrative leave,” Lana Graybeal, a city spokesperson, said in a statement.

The mayor’s office did not issue a separate comment.

In July, Doan was offered a job as fire chief in Bend, OR, but he turned it down. He was given a raise at the time, setting his salary in Boise at $165,006. That made him Boise’s No. 2 highest-paid employee, behind only Airport Director Rebecca Hupp.

A call to Doan was not immediately returned.

Doan started his career with the Boise Fire Department in 1991, and was an original member of the Hazardous Materials Team, according to his bio on the department’s website. He became a captain in 2002 and has received several commendations, including as Boise City Firefighter of the Year in 2003.

He was President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho (PFFI) from 1999 to 2004, and Doan founded the Idaho Fallen Firefighters Foundation and was instrumental in establishing the Idaho Fallen Firefighters Memorial.

Doan became fire chief in 2008, appointed by former Mayor David Bieter.

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