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HUNTSVILLE, Canada — The fire chief in the small Ontario town playing host to the G8 summit has been reassigned for an alleged security breach — sharing his pass with a fellow firefighter.
Fire Chief Stephen Hernen, who has spent months planning for the gathering of world leaders in Huntsville next month, was shunted to a desk job this week.
The town issued a statement saying Hernen was ''temporarily reassigned to administrative duties’’ pending an investigation.
Sources told The Globe and Mail that Hernen is accused of violating security protocols by temporarily lending his G8 security key, thereby giving access to a sensitive RCMP-controlled facility, to his assistant fire chief.
Sources say Hernen had a pass to an RCMP-led Integrated Security Unit training site, where some local firefighters were participating in exercises.
When one firefighter had to be replaced and another escorted in, the fire chief allegedly sent an assistant in his place — carrying his personal security key.
The names didn’t match at the checkpoint, and the RCMP apparently reported the breach.
The city appointed Steve Monahan, the assistant who is said to have used Hernen’s pass to enter the secure site, as the new acting fire chief.
Hernen wouldn’t address the details of his case.
''The only comment I can make is I am truly grateful of the support that Mayor Doughty and the Huntsville council is giving me at this time,’' he said Tuesday. ''And I look forward to a speedy resolve to this issue.’'
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