Rogers Fire Chief Relieved Of Duty
Last updated Wednesday, December 31, 2008 9:02 PM CST in News
By John Henley Jr.
THE MORNING NEWS
ROGERS -- Mayor Steve Womack relieved Fire Chief Alan Bradrick of his duties Wednesday morning.
"I have lost confidence in the chief's ability to lead this high-profile organization," Womack said.
Womack put Bradrick on terminal leave pending retirement. Bradrick is already eligible for retirement, but has accrued vacation and sick time to which he is entitled, Womack said.
Bradrick no longer will have any responsibilities or duties at the fire department, Womack said. Bradrick did not return a message left on his city-issued cell phone Wednesday.
It was not one issue or incident that brought about his decision, Womack said, "but a totality of issues" relating to communication, department morale, budget and overall management of the department.
"The straw that broke the camel's back was the damage to the Southside Church of Christ parking lot and the way it was handled," Womack said.
The department conducted driver training with some of the larger fire engines at the church, 919 S. Dixieland Road, in August.
Asphalt was compressed and buckled in places, said Jackie Chesnutt, senior pastor at Southside. The damage was such that no one could park on the damaged section, he said.
The Fire and Police Departments have used the church's parking lot for driver training for several years without incident, Chesnutt said, and can continue to do so.
Department officials notified church officials immediately and the problem was fixed, Chesnutt said.
The Fire Department paid $7,227 to repair the damage, said Jerry Hudlow, city treasurer.
However, Womack said he knew nothing about the problem until December when Hudlow told him about it.
"Hudlow caught it because it was coded as a continuing education expense," Womack said.
Firefighters also caused minor damage to the floor at the old St. Mary's building during training.
A hose coupling caught and pulled the flooring up, said Alderwoman Betsy Reithemeyer. Reithemeyer is chief operating officer of the Jones Trust, which plans to operate a nonprofit center in the building.
Reithemeyer did not have an estimate on the damage.
The fire and police chiefs serve at the pleasure of the mayor and are not subject to the Rogers Civil Service Commission, so Bradrick cannot appeal Womack's decision, said Jim Clark, deputy city attorney.
Deputy Chief Allan Skogen will assume the duties of interim chief until a new chief is hired.
"The delivery of emergency services for the citizens of Rogers will not be affected," Womack said. "I have the utmost confidence in Deputy Chief Skogen and captains David Whitlow, Eddie Thompson and Bryan Hinds."
Bradrick has four weeks of vacation and more than 60 days of accrued sick time for which he can either be paid in a lump sum or be paid out as an employee, Hudlow said.
He could remain on the payroll through the end of April, Hudlow said.
Bradrick joined the Fire Department in September 1984. He was named interim chief in July 2007, when Wesley Lewis retired.
Bradrick's retirement is through the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System and could range from $3,900 to $4,200 per month, according to a benefit calculator on the system's Web site.
Reader Comments (22 comment(s))
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nwacitizen wrote on Dec 31, 2008 3:19 PM:
citizenjoe wrote on Dec 31, 2008 6:00 PM:
Nice wrote on Dec 31, 2008 6:53 PM:
jeanie wrote on Dec 31, 2008 8:33 PM:
Twinkie wrote on Dec 31, 2008 8:42 PM:
ap72712 wrote on Jan 1, 2009 1:00 AM:
Twinkie wrote on Jan 1, 2009 9:17 AM:
FIGHTON! wrote on Jan 1, 2009 6:02 PM:
currentemployee wrote on Jan 1, 2009 8:44 PM:
currentemployee wrote on Jan 1, 2009 9:06 PM:
Lets breakdown each of Womack's concerns:
1) Morale - See previous post
2) Personnel Management - A year without a training officer (rebuttal to your sub par traing comment), Refusing to promote anyone off the current Lt. list when a Lt. retired in Sept., and Failure to schedule a new Lt. test.
3)Procurement of equipment - Obviously the Mayor agrees with you outdated equipment that is banged up and not being fixed. Looks real professional driving wrecked fire trucks around town.
4)Communication - Well for the ones of us that have seen or received one of his tyrants and tantrums. Holy Cow! Ask anyone what the B shift cocktail is? (Anti-Depressants or Anti-Anxiety Meds) "
rogerscitizen1 wrote on Jan 2, 2009 12:58 PM:
minoyamo wrote on Jan 5, 2009 6:13 AM:
omg wrote on Jan 5, 2009 6:28 AM:
Red72756 wrote on Jan 5, 2009 10:13 PM:
RetiredFire wrote on Jan 12, 2009 9:40 AM:
nice wrote on Jan 12, 2009 1:33 PM:
retiredfire wrote on Jan 13, 2009 9:52 AM:
" I would like to see some evidence on the medic units selecting what they want to take. "
All you have to do is get the phone recordings from RCD. ALL outgoing and incoming calls are recorded. All anyone has to do is get the phone recordings from the days when a medic unit responds to a different FMA and it all adds up. And no, I'm not talking about when the assigned medic unit is already out on a call and another one has to be assigned to another call in the same area. The training is subpar and the requirement by the fire marshal's office to inspect sprinkler systems and alarm systems is ridiculous. No one on staff has ANY clue how to design a system and is not trained NOR certified to be the "authority" on these systems. The designers are the experts, and as the AHJ, you have immunity if that system is not designed correctly. Quit being a Bradrick apologist. "
retiredfire wrote on Jan 13, 2009 9:15 PM:
" Interesting. Enjoy your retirement....Now go away! "
Quit jeopardizing the citizens of Rogers safety...YOU go away! Between Donahoe, Bradrick, Lewis and the rest of the Goon Squad, the GOOD people on the department never had a chance. Now, maybe the good ones can shine and HOPEFULLY the good ol' boy network will go away and the B Shift Cocktail that melded into the Department Cocktail will finally be a thing of history. "
bystander wrote on Jan 18, 2009 2:28 PM:
In absolutely no way would I or anyone I work for or with jeopardize public safety by being "selective" about which calls we take. If we were to do so, disciplinary action would be sure and swift from our Shift Commanders.
Second, we only inspect sprinkler and alarm systems to make sure that they are in service and that the sprinkler company responsable has done their annual inspections and maintainence. That involves looking at the riser for an inspection tag with a current inspection date. It has NOTHING to do with design or being an "authority". All violations are forwarded to the Fire Marshal's office for followup and enforcemant.
Chief Skogen has been key in upgrading our radio system and oredering us some wonderful new Braun ambulances that were very needed. Whatever your personal feelings may be, he is an honorable man with a good family.
Do not disrespect my department, my coworkers or my administration anymore. I am proud of where I work, whom I serve and what I have accomplished. "
Not already registered?
happy potatoe wrote on Dec 31, 2008 2:33 PM: