LANCASTER, Ohio — An Ohio fire chief has received a verbal reprimand after being caught on camera using city fire equipment for personal use.
Village of Bremen Fire Chief Joseph L. Westernbarger, along with other workers, is seen in a photo using a fire truck to fix a hole in a roof of a building he owned, according to Watchdog 10.
In light of the incident, Bremen trustees have set a policy that says any future use of fire department equipment for personal reasons must pass a 2/3 vote.
Before being formally disciplined, Chief Westenbarger said it was routine for firefighters to use equipment and said that trustees had previously allowed personal use.
However, some residents criticized the chief’s actions, calling it a misuse of taxpayer money.