HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 08-18 Maplewood investigates complaints, puts five fire department employees on leave MAPLEWOOD REVIEW http://eastsidereviewnews.com/articles/2015/08/18/maplewood-investigates-complaint-puts-five-fire-department-
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Lill�eN�ws.com
Maplewood investigates complaint, puts five fire
department employees on leave
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By:
Erin Hinrichs
� f � � ;1/ap/eii�oo�Fir•e Slaldon 2 (the G/ads7orze station), located at 1955
; ('Im•ence StrFet, seri�es as the Fir•e Department's administrative
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°�""�""�� °- `'' In response to a complaint filed with the city, Maplewood Fire Chief
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A request for specifics of the complaint that triggered the
� �" -��.�-"�$;�'"�� � � investigation was denied by City Manager Melinda Coleman,who
'�. + said the situation is currently being handled internally.
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"We're handling it as an HR[human resources] issue," she said. "The fewer people who know about it the better,to protect our employees'
rights."
Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act,the city is allowed to withhold certain records.
The City Council members are not privy to the details of the investigation at this point,Coleman said.
Police Chief Paul Schnell and city attorney Alan Kantrud both deferred to Coleman for comment.
In addition to Lukin and Gervais,firefighter and paramedic Richard Dawson,firefighter and paramedic Mike Streff,part-time firefighter and
EMT Joseph Kerska,and part-time firefighter and EMT Reid Troxel were placed on leave.
As of April,the city employs 18 full-time firefighters,40 part-time firefighters and EMTs,and three full-time administrative staff.They work
out of three stations.
The current investigation comes at a time when the North St. Paul Fire Department is working to secure a Joint Powers Agreement with
Maplewood for the new East Metro Fire Training Center.
"We're hoping to have the investigation completed by the end of the week,°Coleman said.
Erin Hinrichs can be reached at 651-748-7814 and ehinrrchs cr,(i//ieneu�s.com. Folloiv her at hi�i/�er.conriEHinrichsNe�vs.