By Ken de la Bastide
Kokomo Tribune
KOKOMO, Ind. — The two highest administrative members of the Kokomo Fire Department have resigned their positions as a result of Mayor Greg Goodnight laying off 12 firefighters last week.
Chief Scott Kern, a member of department for 20 years, and Assistant Chief Randy Wilson submitted their letters of resignation to Goodnight on Friday, according to city spokesman David Gavin.
The resignations took effect on Sunday. Both Kern and Wilson remain with the department.
Gavin said Goodnight has named Deputy Chief Brad Myers as acting and interim chief of the Kokomo Fire Department.
Earlier this month Goodnight ended the Fire Department providing ambulance service and those duties were shifted to both Howard Regional Health Systems and St. Joseph Hospital.
The lay-off of the 12 firefighters was not unexpected when the city closed down the Fire Emergency Medical Services.
Jeremy Shaw, president of Local 396 of the Firefighter’s Union, said last week that since Goodnight took office on Jan. 1, 2008 the number of firefighters has declined from 121 to 100.
Kern said last week that Goodnight’s decision jeopardizes safety at fire scenes for members of the department.
Copyright 2009 Kokomo Tribune
Kokomo Tribune (Indiana)