By Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington says the Columbus Department of Fire and EMS is “too lax.” News 3 On Your Side
Email to a Friend
Stumble It!Now the man who runs the department - Chief Jeff Meyer - is under reprimand.
This comes after the case was closed into an accident involving former firefighter Zack Allen. This is a story news three brought you first on our web site this morning.
Zack Allen, seen here in an unrelated story in 2006, is the son of city councilor Gary Allen.
Back in November 2006, Zack Allen was in a city fire truck. He was involved in an accident with another driver.
Allen failed a drug test, after cocaine was found in his system. Even though the mayor says policy was followed in the Zack Allen case - he named two other ongoing personnel issues - placing blame on the head of the departement - Chief Jeff Meyer.
“I hold the chief accountable for these lapses in judgment, “ said Mayor Jim Wetherington Friday.
Wetherington says things in the department have to change, ”He's very knowledgeable in the fire department, very knowledgeable about dealing with fire. I question Jeff and I explained to him this morning - some of his management needs to be improved.”
Despite today's strong warning - the Assistant Chief of Columbus Fire and says he and the Chief will move forward.
Says Assistant Chief Jerry Fountain, “There's a cloud around what we do here, but once it's been investigated- the temperament’s going to be better.”
Fountain says the morale is high at the department. He says he's grateful the investigation is over and that it found no policy violations. But what about the noted miscommunications?
News Three asked Asst. Chief Fountain what he would say to tax payers who are questioning how the department runs. Fountain said, “I can tell them that in my 28 years - this is probably the best staff I've worked with.”
The mayor says he believes that Chief Meyer's job is salvageable and Asst. Chief Fountain says Jeff Meyer plans to move forward as the Chief of Fire and EMS.
Asst. Chief Jerry Fountain says he thinks one of the problems in the department is that firefighters are not familiar with policy.
He says starting Monday morning employees will begin taking classes on department policy.