By Heather Rawlyk
The Maryland Gazette
Copyright 2006 Capital Gazette Communications, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
A volunteer fire chief, charged with second-degree assault after breaking up a fight between two of his men, has been suspended from responding to emergency calls.
Riviera Beach Volunteer Fire Company Chief Kenneth Hyde Sr. said he will only be allowed to perform administrative duties until the case against him is completed, per county Fire Department policy.
The mandatory suspension came after Chief Hyde was served with a District Court summons a week ago, which formally informed him of the charge.
A court date is set for Oct. 20.
The investigation stems from a July 18 argument between volunteer firefighters Jonnie Dale Hill and Michael Kain.
“It’s policy, and that’s fine,” he said. “That’s procedure. Mr. Hill put charges against me, and once that happened, the fire department had to respond.”
Chief Hyde said Firefighter Kain told Firefighter Hill to shut up just before 8 p.m. so he could listen to a dispatcher tell him about a minor accident that happened behind their station. The two volunteers began arguing in front of a couple of victims already in the station, Chief Hyde said.
Firefighter Hill has said Chief Hyde overreacted when he stepped between them. He said the chief pushed him with both hands — knocking him backwards two steps — and cursed at him several times.
Chief Hyde said he never pushed or swore at Firefighter Hill.
Firefighter Hill went to the Glen Burnie District Courthouse three days after the incident and told his story to a court commissioner, which led to the summons issued against Chief Hyde.
Chief Hyde was able to continue his duties until he was served with a District Court summons. He said he knew the county Fire Department’s policy and expected to be suspended from responding to emergency calls after he received the summons.