Laserfiche WebLink
Having received official notification of the charges, today, Chief Taylor will also <br /> request that the Board of Safety approve an administrative leave, without pay, for Capt. <br /> Gadacz, at their next meeting. <br /> The Fire Department is also aware of a third case of an Off-Duty Firefighter in his <br /> personal vehicle being stopped, in St. Joseph County, for possibly operating a vehicle <br /> while intoxicated. However, the Department is not aware of any charges having been <br /> filed at this time. <br /> Chief Taylor, in responding to these incidents said, "first and foremost, I want to <br /> apologize to the citizens of our community and to Mayor Luecke for the actions of these <br /> three members of the South Bend Fire Department." "Each of them has been a reliable <br /> and dependable firefighter for nearly 30 years and I have been proud to work along side <br /> of them. Unfortunately, this has become to common a problem, not just at the Fire <br /> Department, but throughout the country, in many fields of work. Driving while <br /> intoxicated is a serious offense. We will discipline these employees and seek ways to <br /> prevent further violations of this nature." Taylor also indicated that"at Mayor Luecke's <br /> request we have begun to review our policies and procedures for educating our <br /> employees regarding important health and safety issues and employee assistance <br /> programs available to them." Procedures for on-duty discipline for city employees are <br /> clear. Mayor Luecke has asked the City Attorney to review additional options the City <br /> may have, as an employer, to counsel, discipline, and discourage destructive behavior of <br /> its employees while off-duty. <br />