The Herald-Sun

DURHAM, N.C. — Less than a month after investigators revealed members of the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department had been drinking before responding to a pair of fires, its chief and deputy chief have stepped down, a top official confirmed Monday.

Lebanon Fire Chief Brian Taylor and Deputy Chief Tavie Tunstall resigned last week in two separate moves "completely unrelated" to the scandal surrounding an incident in which firefighters were found to have consumed alcohol before heading to two house fires Dec. 15, according to Doug Griffin, president of Lebanon's board of directors.

The Durham County Sheriff's Office investigated the drinking claims, but declined to press any charges or release the names of the five or six firefighters they say drank alcohol that night. Griffin said several firefighters had been disciplined as a result of findings from the board's own investigation into the drinking allegations.

Tunstall resigned before Taylor. According to Griffin, Tunstall's resignation followed a disagreement with Taylor.

Tunstall, who was also in charge of all Lebanon training, will remain in that post, but as a regular firefighter. Like the department's board of directors, at the time he resigned, Tunstall was not aware that Taylor was also planning to step down, Griffin said.

Taylor, who is a full-time Raleigh firefighter, cited family obligations including a new baby as his reason for leaving, and in his letter of resignation wrote that he didn't have time to act as chief while handling responsibilities to his family and his full-time job.

"The former chief didn't have time to do the job," Griffin, said "but he's a good guy, and he was very honest about it."

Griffin has appointed former Lebanon chief Travis Clements as acting chief until April, when a new chief will be chosen .

"My feeling is that [Clements will] solidify relations within the organization. ... He'll bring the house together, calm the waters," said Griffin, who added that organizational "politics" were behind the need for someone who could unite "a house divided."

In his 30 years with the Lebanon department, Clements has held nearly every key departmental post, including a place on its board of directors.

Clements immediately asked Taylor to serve as assistant chief -- a less important role than deputy chief -- on a temporary basis, and Taylor accepted, Griffin said.

When a new chief is selected in April, he or she will be responsible for appointing his or her own deputy and assistant chiefs.

Deputy County Manager Carolyn Titus said Monday that the county had been informed of the Lebanon leadership changes and that she is satisfied the public will continue to be well served during its changing of the guard.

The county funds Lebanon's coverage-area service.

"Travis Clements has an excellent reputation," Titus said. "We are familiar with his work and have every confidence he'll do a great job."