An ex-Iowa fire chief has been charged following a probe into irregularities in records.
Former Woodward Fire Chief Matt Cavanaugh, who is facing 10 charges relating to tampering with records, has been released on bail, KCCI reported.
He stepped aside from the fire department when the investigation started. An assistant chief is at the helm.
Woodward firefighers are paid $10 per call by the city.
After the call, the crews complete a form with the names of firefighters who responded and subit it to the chief.
"The fire chief was adding his name to calls that he did not attend and so he was being paid for calls that he was not on. This is public money. This isn't something that we can sweep under the rug or look the other way on," Woodward Police Chief Jim Graham said.
He added: "This is not indicative of the fire department or the other members of the fire department. This is bad leadership and bad actions taken by that leader."
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.