Morale issues spark Essex Fire & Rescue review
A controversial decision to suspend a longtime volunteer firefighter in Essex for several weeks without pay was the final straw that triggered an independent review of morale issues in the fire department, according to town Coun. Randy Voakes.
Toronto lawyer Jan Parnega, who specializes in workplace reviews, has been retained by the town and is in the middle of her investigation. It is unknown when she will complete her work and report back.
Essex Mayor Ron McDermott said Wednesday there was “absolutely nothing ” he could say about the investigation since it is ongoing. “You will hear about it when the time is right,” he said.
Issues within the department have been highlighted by local blogger Fred Groves. In his Essex News Blog he wrote that a district chief was allegedly suspended recently after inviting a reporter to view a new fire truck without the knowledge of the fire department’s brass and town officials.
A story and photo that appeared in the Essex Free Press soon after led to the fireman’s suspension, according to the blogger.
Essex chief administrative officer Donna Hunter on Wednesday declined to comment on the review of the fire department.
“This whole process has been discussed with council in a closed meeting,” she said.
Essex fire Chief Rick Arnel did not respond to a message from the Star.
While others would say little about the investigation, Voakes said he fears morale has reached a critical low in the fire department, which includes a few dozen volunteer firefighters at three stations in Essex, Harrow and Gesto.
“I’m being told it’s got to the point where there are suggestions some of them may not attend emergency situations,” Voakes said.
He said he has information that indicates the discontent was triggered by administrative decisions in recent months that ignored seniority or involved “unwarranted discipline,” such as the district chief was alleged to have recently received for his media-related activities.
“This started years ago and you have some guys quitting with the way things are being handled,” Voakes said.
The councillor said he respects Arnel and deputy fire chief Rick Malott — the department’s only two full-time members.
“But now you have a situation that’s affecting my community,” said Voakes, who supports the investigation. “When I’m being told there are firemen that are not going to respond to emergency calls, I have to make this my business. I have to make sure my constituents are taken care of.”
Each volunteer firefighter receives a base pay, which is topped up based on the number of emergency incidents to which they must respond.
Voakes would like to see the district chief’s pay reinstated and a community board established for the fire department — similar to a police services board — so that such issues could be addressed.
You will hear about it when the time is right