La. fire chief suspended over comments

By Christine Harvey
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

SLIDELEE, La. — The chief of the Slidell area fire department has been suspended for a day without pay after allegedly violating a rule that prohibits employees from making sexual or racist comments.

The 1st Fire Protection District's board of commissioners ordered the suspension for Chief Larry Hess on Tuesday after several firefighters filed an informal complaint against him, according to sources familiar with the matter. The commissioners handed down the punishment, which includes the provision that Hess attend sensitivity training, during an executive session called specifically to discuss the situation, according to the sources, who requested anonymity.

Hess and Troy Ingram, the fire department's attorney, declined to comment Friday, saying only that the board had considered a personnel matter at an executive session Tuesday. Neither man would confirm that the matter had to do with Hess or that he had been suspended.

Hess apparently made the improper comments, which were not specified at the meeting, in the presence of several firefighters. The firefighters took offense and filed the complaint with the board, the sources said.

Hess is scheduled to serve his suspension Monday, according to the sources.

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