Fire Dept. changes stoke tensions
Council member wants promotions, transfers by Chief Thomas rescinded
City Councilman Jimmy Gallant
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A member of Charleston City Council plans to call an emergency meeting in an attempt to rescind a flurry of last-minute promotions and transfers made Wednesday by Fire Chief Rusty Thomas in his waning days in office.
The Rev. Jimmy Gallant, chairman of council's Public Safety Committee, said Thomas had no business messing with the Fire Department's pecking order and assignments so close to his planned June 27 departure.
Thomas promoted 16 firefighters, including three captains who rose to the rank of battalion chief.
Six engineers were promoted to captains, and seven men became engineers. A number of transfers also are planned, though city officials said a final list was still in the works late Wednesday.
Mayor Joe Riley and other city officials said the promotions process was fair and professional. The personnel changes had been in the works for several months and were needed to fill key vacancies and keep the Fire Department running until a new fire chief is hired, Riley said. City officials acknowledged that the new chief could reverse these moves, so the promotions
were made on a one-year, probationary basis.
Gallant said such important decisions should have been left to the incoming chief, and that doing them now reeks of retribution. "It looks like (Thomas) is getting even. That is dead wrong. It is totally out of order."
Thomas abruptly announced his retirement May 14, one day before a city-appointed panel of experts issued a report that was sharply critical of his decisions in the June 18 Sofa Super Store fire that killed nine city firefighters.
Critics questioned whether Thomas was using the promotion process to reward supporters and punish opponents who had spoken out about problems in the Fire Department.
"This comes after a devastating critique of the Fire Department, and the same man who was in charge on June 18 is now sitting at the head of the table making promotions and transfers," said Jay Lowry, a former Charleston firefighter who writes the Internet blog Firefighter Hourly. "It strikes me as a last-gasp gotcha."
Gallant, who learned of the promotions from The Post and Courier, said he was particularly surprised that Thomas made the moves one day after City Council voted 9-2 to demand a larger role in selecting a new fire chief.
He said he plans to call a special meeting of his committee, possibly as soon as today, and invite all council members to attend. Gallant said he will make a motion to rescind the promotions and transfers. Failing that, he believes council members could wield their budgetary influence and block any pay raises tied to the promotions, he said.
"I don't know how the mayor can sit back and allow this to happen," he said.
Riley said such criticism was unfair and unfounded, and that Thomas' motives were pure and honorable. He called Gallant's suggestion to block pay raises "patently ridiculous" and "absurd."
"We shouldn't be playing politics with the Fire Department," Riley said. "The citizens of Charleston don't deserve that."
Riley and other officials stressed that the city closely followed promotional procedures recommended by its outside panel of experts to ensure the process was fair and that the best candidates were selected. He said the city consulted with panel leader Gordon Routley before Thomas made the promotions.
In the past, Thomas alone handled all hiring and promotions within the Fire Department. The city-appointed panel recommended a more formal process that includes reading lists, written exams, candidate rankings and training to help job candidates prepare.
Those applying to become battalion chiefs were required to submit resumes and undergo interviews by a group consisting of Thomas, three assistant fire chiefs, a city human resources recruiter and a North Charleston Fire Department battalion chief. The human resources department compiled the group's rankings, from which Thomas made the final pick, said Kay Cross, the city's human resources director.
Candidates for engineer and captain positions were ranked based on performance on written exams and interviews with Fire Department committees. Again, Thomas made the pick from a list of top candidates, Cross said.
"This all started months ago," she said. "We didn't feel it would be fair to the people who applied to stop the process until a new fire chief was on board."
The city could not immediately provide information on how many people had applied for the jobs in question.
Speaking on behalf of Thomas, Mark Ruppel, the Fire Department's public information officer, said nothing nefarious should be read into the pending transfers either. Promotions often require a shuffling of manpower and reassignments to make sure all stations are covered, he said.
Jeff Zack, assistant to the general president of the Washington-based International Association of Fire Fighters, didn't know specifics about Wednesday's moves but said the union will monitor the situation closely. The union will stand behind any Charleston firefighters who feel they've been targeted because they spoke out about safety issues or other legitimate concerns, he said.
Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com. Reach Ron Menchaca at 937-5724 or rmenchaca@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 36 comment(s)
Posted by BillytheKid on May 29, 2008 at 1 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We all know how Joe is. Thomas would never do anything against the firefighters would he?
Posted by firefightersforthetruth on May 29, 2008 at 6:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GOOD OLD BOY POLITICS! Joe and Rusty both need to be held accountable! Truth is in the transfers! He has moved every firefighter, engineer, and Captain who spoke out against him! HOW CAN THIS NOT BE SEEN FOR WHAT IT REALLY IS? TRUTH PEOPLE!! CITIZENS NEED TO SPEAK OUT! THIS IS UNCALLED FOR!
Posted by bvfd271 on May 29, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"We shouldn't be playing politics with the Fire Department," Riley said. "The citizens of Charleston don't deserve that."
Joe Riley,thats the pot calling the kettle black,You have used the CFD for playing politics since you got into Office,as being the best Fire Department in the County,State,and Nation.With your comment that that the Citizens don't deserve that,since you have been Mayor,does that mean for the past past 20 plus years that the Citizens have not deserved you or the CFD? Put your money where your mouth is and would you care to comment on that?
Posted by Charles_Town on May 29, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whoever they bring in as new chief, will have no idea about who is qualified to fill positions through promotions for months to come. Let the promotions go through. They have a 1 year probationary period, and they can then be rescinded if they do not adequately fill the jobs. It would not be fair to delay the hard work and efforts the candidates have put into getting their promotion (if they did work and these are not favors Rusty is repaying). If they start blocking promotions, etc... they could easily tick off the firefighters and hurt their esprit de corps, which would be bad for such an important and necessary department.
Posted by ccfirefighterchick on May 29, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is something that has been in the works. I know a few of the men that have been going through the promotion process. It isn't something that Rusty just decided to do a few days ago. The Captain that I know has been going through interviews and getting his resume together and having training. There was a panel that was used to pick the top candidates for the position, which is already an improvement on the old way of doing promotions in the CFD. At least Rusty got some assistance in making his decisions this time and didn't just promote people alone.
Always remember the Charleston 9.
Posted by ed52 on May 29, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
riley is the one who should have resigned.
Posted by PalmettoHawk on May 29, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Legitimate or not, it smacks of cronyism on Chief Thomas' part. Recind the promotions and announce them as "Acting Battalion Chief" and so forth so that the incoming Chief can evaluate all his personnel on a level playing field.
I read that the committee made "recommendations" but that the sole and final decision was left with Chief Thomas...sorry not good enough. He is leaving his position in less than favorable conditions as a lame duck department head. What better time to put "his" people into better paying and more RESPONSIBLE positions than on his way out the door?
Posted by sbs920 on May 29, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can these two Charleston "Boneheads" screw up this bad situation even more? The answer is YES! This just reeks!
little joe needs to be voted out of office and only the people of Charleston can do that! Wake up folks !
little joe and rusty need to held accountable and stop blaming the whole incident on SSS !
Posted by eatmorecollards on May 29, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a mess for persons to endure on thier jobs who contend with life and death situations every day, thier own and those of the public. I sure hope that split factions inside the department will soon learn to pull together and put thier anamosities aside, forgive and forget, start over. Hatred and jealousy will rot the soul.
Posted by Neponset on May 29, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is not good - outgoing folks should not do last minute promotions - let the new guy or girl make the decisions about promotions.
Posted by vesta on May 29, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"We shouldn't be playing politics with the Fire Department," Riley said. "The citizens of Charleston don't deserve that." Does the word "we" include Riley?? So, appointing one of his best friend's sons as a fire chief when that son didn't have the qualifications isn't politics? So, not properly funding the CFD (in order to spend money on pet projects) so that the department could have adequate leaders, training, and equipment isn't politics? So, continually repeating immediately after June 18 and in subsequent months thereafter that the CFD is ISO #1, top department in the state, country and world isn't politics? So, becoming the 'manager' of the money contributed to the families of the fallen nine isn't politics? So, keeping Rusty on until after the election isn't politics? So, hiring your own independent panel at the tax payers expense to "cushion" the brunt of the federal reports on the SSS fire isn't politics? So, purchasing the site to make a memorial to the fallen nine (when a great many of your citizens find this distasteful and would rather see a training facility if anything on this site) isn't politics? So, telling the tax payers that the site only cost 1.8 million when, after clean up, and building the memorial is actually going to be a lot more isn't politics? So, encouraging grief stricken families to accept Worker's Comp, knowing that these families then can't turn around and sue one of the major elements in this tragedy--the city--isn't politics? Well, gee, Mr. Mayor, I realize true politicians like to skirt the issue of what a word truly means, but, just for the tally books, what is your definition of "politics?"
Posted by CHRISJIII on May 29, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This situation stinks to high Heaven!!!!! Thomas and Riley are two crooked peas from the same pod. An outgoing fire chief, who is being forced to retire, should not be making any promotion decisions. This should be left to the incoming fire chief. The governor's office should really start to look into Riley's antics and malfeasance. That would be one of the few benefits that he could bestow upon the Lowcountry, to remove the mayor of the region's prinicple city for corruption.
Posted by bigwhip on May 29, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey 1776, you are a riot! No, more like a joke.
Posted by vesta on May 29, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In some other areas where a new director or chief steps into an agency, something called "underslotting" takes place. The new administrator declares all positions officially open and posts the standard qualifications required for those positions. If the person who held that position up to the arrival of the new administrator, meets those qualifications, the position remains his/hers. If the person who held that position up to the arrival of the new administrator does not meet those qualifications, they are given a certain period of time in which to achieve those qualifications before being dismissed as 'not qualified' for the position. I would think, in the case of the fire department, these qualifications would include training at the State Fire Academy and courses from accredited agencies. PROVIDED the mayor allows the new chief to make decisions on his own, this type of procedure could be employed to help weed out the eleventh hour, fifty-ninth minute appointments that are taking place, unless they are in fact qualified appointments. No one, by the way, should have been fired or demoted for giving out facts about the department. They would be protected under both state and federal regulations, and I am certain the union will uphold the rights of those individuals.
Posted by a_set_love on May 29, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CHRISJIII - That would be one of the few benefits that he could bestow upon the Lowcountry, to remove the mayor of the region's prinicple city for corruption.
Why do you want the Gov. to remove Summey from office? What corruption is he involved in? ( LOL )
Posted by justbeingme on May 29, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One would have to wonder why soooooo many promotions, before the chief resigns. Why the rush !! I'm glad that there are council persons on city council who are not afraid to address the issues that Riley tries to sweep under their noses.
Posted by jameschucktown on May 29, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas, you are one sick puppy. Where are you hanging out now that Thomas Ravenel is gone? Get some sleep.
Posted by Chilldiesel83 on May 29, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I might be going at this alone, but even after all of Rusty's faults, rescinding the promotions hurts who? It hurts the firefighters that are trying to advance their careers. Rusty is gone, done deal, so not allowing the promotions does not hurt the man that everyone is against. It only hurts the ones left behind. With the economy the way it is now, who in their right mind would not be clawing tooth and nail to try and get a promotion and make more money. I know I would. Also the notion to block pay raises as suggested by Gallant is ridiculous. There is not enough money in the world to pay what Firefighters, soldiers, policeman, and teachers should be paid. They do the biggest service of any person out there, yet they are the lowest paid. It just cringes me sometimes. If the firefighters posting for the promotions really do meet the qualifications and have earned the promotion, who the heck is me or anyone else to tell them that they cannot have them. That is ludicrous and shameful. If they have not earned the promotion, then how is this any different from the rest of the workforce in corporate America. It is all about who you know now, and not what you know.
Posted by kma71 on May 29, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas1776--You have to be one of the most arrogant and ignorant people on the face on the earth!!
Posted by CaptPete on May 29, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gallant should leave the personnel issues in the fire dept to the Chief. The mayor controls the Dept heads (state and city law).
Posted by BillMan on May 29, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good for Gallant, the city needs some accountability after this mess has dragged on for so long! I support Gallant's actions 100%!
Posted by Chaz2225 on May 29, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with Chilldiesel, why take this out on the firefighters? Let their qualifications speak for them. If there are questions as to Rusty's motives, then just look at the applicants and their qualifications. I hope our houses don't burn down because Gallant, and his merry band of followers, had a personal ax to grind and a statement to make. This is about public safety, and bad decisions in more than one arena, it should never have been used as a soapbox for egocentric politicians to make a point or a statement. The actual issues need to be addressed and our fire department put back together. What person in their right mind is going to want to take the job as Fire Chief in Charleston after all this? Leave it to the politicians to make sure things are TOTALLY screwed up before they announce some stupid plan that fixes nothing.
Oh yeah, and Thomas 1776 ... the only thing Rev. Gallant "brought to the plate" was an opportunity for someone as ignorant as you to speak his mind!
Posted by bravecharleston9myspace on May 29, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
shakes head......
i have no idea what to say.......
i am just going to remember our fallen 9 brothers....
sigh.......
i can't fight for the living anymore.....
or against ......
this is too much for me......
i don't get it anymore.....i don't understand......i have to get ready for the one year date of our fallen 9 with the families and brotherhood.
this spinzone has me sick to my stomach.....i just understand it anymore.
i try to have compassion....but dang.....what is he doing?
never forgetting our fallen 9,
missy :O(
Posted by BillMan on May 29, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Gallant! Go Gallant! I heard this guy may become the next mayor!
Posted by vesta on May 29, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chaz2225 and chilldiesel: No one has suggested that those QUALIFIED for positions should not be promoted to those positions. The problem is that, according to the Routely report and FFs, there has been a culture in place for a very long time that has permitted promotions based on OTHER criteria besides fire service knowledge and skills. One of the major issues that brought about this tragedy almost a year ago was lack of leadership, lack of training, and lack of equipment. Let us please not go down that road again. Promotions should be done based on standard criteria (recognized by the state and federal government) for that position and should be decided by someone who has the criteria to judge qualifications of others.
Posted by Chilldiesel83 on May 29, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Vesta, according to Gallant, he states that the promotions are Rusty getting his one last word in and that they are dead wrong. He is not distinguishing between qualified and non-qualified candidates. He is speaking in a general "blanket" term. Saying that no promotion should go through. My comment was more directed at him vs the other comments posted by other readers. Thanks
Posted by a_set_love on May 29, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did you see the Channel 2 interview with Mr. Riley broadcast at 5 pm. Mr. Riley is acting like a raving lunatic.
So sad.
Posted by charleytowngirl on May 29, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where were you 11 months ago, Mr. Gallant?
Posted by Reader on May 29, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Among Thomas1776's completely nonsensical legal comments are the following: "Will Rusty end up criminally charged? I know he is going to be sued as 'Rusty' and not just a clown of a fire chief."
What possible crime did he commit in connection with the fire at the store? Good grief. Moreover, I cannot imagine what personal capacity suit would be brought. What legal duty did he owe unconnected to his position as a chief?
He also wrote, "Can we get a search warrant for Rusty's house and all his other records (like phone and emails)?"
Again, what possible grounds would there be for a search warrant of his home? Before you get a search warrant, you have to at least be able to identify a crime. Even then, you have to announce some reason to think that the warrant will turn up evidence of something.
He also randomly commented, "I think Rusty is a crook. Check his house for stolen public property, etc. Does his home computer belong to the tax payers? What about the City Credit cards he has? What has he been using them for?"
Do you have any reason for these nonsense allegations that you post?
To the topic at hand, I would say that both Riley and Gallant deserve public scorn. Riley is a prideful egomaniac who should be embarassed by the way he runs the City without any meaningful input from anyone. Gallant is just posing for the public with his tantrum since he has never bothered to challenge the mayor on things in the past. He is a self-important idiot who likes to hear himself talk but not actually do anything.
Posted by Ralph on May 29, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If the guys are qualified for promotion and experienced then more power to them. However, I am curious how anyone could be promoted to the position of Engineer without practical testing along with the written and oral. I do not think that council or Riley should have any say in the promotional process. With that said, I do not believe that Rusty should either because he is not qualified. As for the transfers, there should be enough personnel throughout the CFD to accomodate the promotions without transfers. Transferring anyone in the CFD this close to 6-18-08 is just CRUEL, no matter how you try to spin it!
Posted by burton on May 29, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Finally, one of the Riley's subjects on Council is standing up to the King! I guess this is one decree they're not going to obey. I hope the rest of them grow a spine too!
Posted by east3 on May 29, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The first step should be for the named intermim chief to step in and for Chief Thomas to take leave until his official retirement. All current promotions are at least stated as being probationary for a year, providing some time for a new chief to institute a legitimate tested promotional system. The only person probably qualified to test engineers is the new Training Chief, but I saw no specific mention of his role, or as Ralph says, there is also no mention of practical hands-on testing with an engine and that new-fangled hose. Chief Thomas showed at the SSS fire that he knows nothing about fire hydraulics, and it is hard to tell in a department relying on boosters and single 2.5" supply lines and no deck guns whether anyone there knows fire hydraulics. The engineers need to be tested on basic NFPA training manual standards and by state certified instructors.
Based on the demonstrated lack of knowledge in the CFD of fire tactics and command procedures, a new chief would be justified in training, educating and testing everyone and reorganizing more or less from top to bottom.
This would mean a change of culture from a chief who said you can't learn firefighting from books to a chief who says you won't be in charge at a fire until you read some books - and there will be a quiz.
Posted by doozzer on May 30, 2008 at 12:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I left Charleston more than a decade ago and I see things have not changed one bit. Bad leaders making bad decisions based on "Good Old Boy" relationships. The culture will never change until the people of South Carolina make it change. Until then you will always be held up as an example of how not to run a government.
Posted by bravecharleston9myspace on May 30, 2008 at 3:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HONESTLY....
WITH RUSTY LEAVING....OR ANYONE IN A HIGH POSITION....
I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MAKE NEW LEADERS BEFORE THEY GO.....
IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.....duh......
IT'S LIKE PRES. BUSH PICKING THE NEXT PRESIDENT'S VICE
NO WAY! IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY....IT'S STUPID...
NEW LEADERSHIP ALL THE WAY OR NO WAY....
Posted by right2work on May 30, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gallant is a dumbar$e and so is Riley. Looks like the promotions were on the up and up(panel interviews, NCFD chief on the panel). Transfers are going to happen when promotions are made to fill in the missing spots. Sorry guys nothing to see here. Move along.
Posted by bootlicked on June 1, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks can be deceiving it looked like CFD was a first class fire dept..