MANVILLE, N.J. — Three of four N.J. volunteer firefighters who were terminated because they allegedly disobeyed orders by going to assist in Sandy relief have gotten their jobs back.
A Manville Office of Emergency coordinator said that the firefighters had lost their jobs because they were endangering their own safety and were being “unreliable,” according to the Times.
The four North End Volunteer Fire Department firefighters had left Manville to help another fire company the Saturday after Superstorm Sandy hit.
Only one of the firefighters was given to clearance to leave, but he brought three others with him.
Firefighter Gary Barras was given permission to leave, but according to a report from MyCentralJersey.com, he and the three other firefighters were not needed.
Fire officials said the Firefighter Barras broke protocol, as emergency responses by fire companies must be planned prior to deployment and must go through a coordinator.
Firefighter Barras was given permission to go as it was his hometown that required assistance.
The three firefighters that were brought with along have had their jobs restored, the Times reports, but Firefighter Barras is still without his job.
They were reprimanded for also wearing their gear in a picture posted to Facebook and may be fined.
Firefighter Barras was reported to have been “almost combative and unruly,” and did not return phone calls or messages.