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Union wants outsider to lead Baltimore’s fire department
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Related Topics: BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - As seven candidates compete to become Baltimore’s fire chief, union members say they want an outsider to head the agency.
“We want someone who won’t bring a preconceived notion to the department,” said Stephan Fugate, president of the Fire Officers union.
“We want someone who doesn’t have 30 years of grudges or a cadre of cronies. Someone from the outside is probably the best choice.”
A five-member panel, including Baltimore Deputy Mayor Christopher Thomaskutty and Howard County Deputy Fire Chief Chris Shimer, interviewed seven candidates for the job Tuesday.
Mayor Sheila Dixon’s spokesman, Sterling Clifford, declined to identify the candidates but said three are black, three white and one Hispanic.
Three of the candidates come from outside Maryland, while four live in the state, Clifford added.
The panel will recommend three candidates, who will then interview with Dixon.
“Baltimore has long been recognized as one of the premier fire departments in the country,” Clifford said. “We want to keep that tradition going and improve some of the areas where we know there are shortcomings.”
Shimer was the author of a critical 117-page investigation into the Feb. 9 death of Baltimore City Fire Department recruit Racheal Wilson, who died in a training exercise. In that report, he found about 50 violations of national fire standards, and listed dozens of missteps and errors during the fatal live burn on Calverton Road.
Marred in controversy over Wilson’s death, embattled Baltimore City Fire Chief William Goodwin resigned Dec. 1. In the meantime, Gregory Ward, a department veteran of 30 years, is serving as acting chief.
lbroadwater@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:57 PM MST on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008 re: "Md. Fire union seeks to block exam retake"
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10:32 AM MST on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008
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10:20 AM MST on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008
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10:10 AM MST on Wed., Feb. 20, 2008
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3:32 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 23, 2008
re: "Union wants outsider to lead Baltimore’s fire department"
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american said:
Dixon is not telling the truth.
54 agree | 44 disagree
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BCFD insider said:
Local 964 President Fugate is correct, there is much more to this story that the City is trying to keep hidden. The entire 300 page report will come out, too many people know of its existence AND have copies of it for it to remain secret. The cover up of the report will be far worse for the Mayor than the information contained in the report, she should have just done the right thing from the beginning and disciplined ALL who the FULL 300 page report identifies as lacking integrity. Mayor Shelie said hers would be a "transparent" government, but what is "transparent" is that Mayor Dixon is not willing to discipline cheats, conspirators, frauds, and deceivers, even after her own Inspector General identifies who they are.
43 agree | 28 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If the people who were accussed of cheating, passed the test by knowledge, then just take it again. If they cheated, then they won't pass and therefore are not qualified for the position. - simple.
30 agree | 28 disagree
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FireFighter said:
The Mayor is covering up yet another scandal
47 agree | 30 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
as much as dislike sheila "voted most needed to be indicted by a federal grand jury dixon" it is her responsibility to appoint the fire chief. not the hacks who run a union. dixon at least in theory is accountable to the voters. the union flunkies are accountable only to the membership. and most of them probably live outside the city.
70 agree | 67 disagree
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