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Meeting Held to Address Concerns About Scranton Fire Chief

Meeting Held to Address Concerns About Scranton Fire Chief - Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 8:38PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Thursday, Feb 28, 2008 @08:38pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- A closed door meeting lasted less than an hour at Scranton City Hall Thursday after accusations involving safety issues surfaced against Fire Chief Tom Davis.

Scranton City Council President Bob McGoff requested the special meeting. Our cameras weren't allowed inside Scranton Council Chambers as city leaders met to address the accusations against Davis. McGoff, other council members and Public Safety Director Ray Hayes attended the meeting. "Are there concerns? Sure, I think anytime someone brings up safety there's going to be concerns," said McGoff.

Earlier this month a majority of city firefighters voted ‘no confidence’ in the chief's leadership. Some even expressed their concerns at Tuesday's council meeting. Councilman Bill Courtright said, "I asked Chief Davis each and every question that was given to us by the firefighters and he answered each and every question, what we'll do now is bring back answers to the rest of council."

Some firefighters believe Davis is jeopardizing their safety. Davis didn't comment, and neither would the union. Councilwoman Sherry Nealon Fanucci said, “This is just to sit down and clear the air. When you're talking about people and their livelihoods, it's a very serious issue."

The complaints surfaced during a tough time for the department. Last month, Captain James Robeson was electrocuted on duty, and the union doesn't have a contract. "Nine other unions, both fire and police unions, have tried to pull rank under contract negotiations. Am I saying that's happening? I don't know," added Fanucci.

We do know council has no control over personnel matters. “I don't want to speak for all of council, but I myself think that’s what hope to do is make some kind of recommendation. I personally would like to see an outside agency to come in and look at this. I don’t feel qualified to make any decision on a gentleman's career,” said Courtright.

Mayor Chris Doherty did not want to speak on camera but said, both firefighters who complained Tuesday have less than a year experience on the job and would be the first to go, if there were cuts. The mayor insisted that as long as he's in office, Chief Tom Davis will stay in charge.
 


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