SUNDRE - The town’s mayor issued a public statement yesterday (Aug. 18) regarding changes in leadership at the town’s fire department, as people gathered outside the town’s administrative offices to support the ousted fire chief.
Supporters have been clamouring for more information and asking for the chief to be re-instated after it was made public Monday that Marty Butts is no longer the Sundre Fire Department’s chief.
It is not clear whether Butts was fired, resigned, or was placed under some other job action. Town of Sundre Chief Administrative Officer Linda Nelson said it’s a Human Resources issue “and we’re limited on what we can say.”
Butts also will not confirm under what circumstances he left the position.
Some firefighters with the department say they will not be responding to calls until the situation is resolved.
The mayor’s written message attempted to allay concerns and assured residents not only that the community remains fully protected, but also that council as well as Mountain View County remain committed to supporting the department.
“Malicious rumours circulated in the community alleging the Sundre Fire Department had been locked out, leaving the town without adequate fire protection. These rumours are categorically false,” reads a portion of the statement.
Fire department members said not all members had the new codes to open the doors of the hall immediately after they were changed following the leadership change.
The process to recruit a new chief will be getting underway, wrote Leslie, adding Butts’ “departure marks the end of an era for the fire service” and that the municipality “will continue to protect the privacy of Mr. Butts. We do not comment about personnel matters as we respect his right to privacy.”
In a follow-up interview with The Albertan later that morning, Leslie momentarily paused to consider his words when asked why the statement was issued after the chief’s departure rather than beforehand.
“We weren’t able to come out proactively and say here’s what’s going to happen because we have to respect the privacy rights that employees have and we have to follow a protocol,” he said during a phone interview.
“Above all else, we protect the privacy rights of folks that are involved, that’s it.”
The mayor also could not confirm whether the chief resigned, was terminated, or subjected to a disciplinary action.
“I can confirm that he isn’t the fire chief. And no, the reasons as to why are not public knowledge.”
Asked his thoughts on the volunteers who are standing behind the chief and no longer intend to respond, the mayor said, “We respect that firefighters want to make their decisions, and we deeply appreciate the service that they provide for us.”
He called the department’s dedicated men and women second to none.
“And we hope that there will be respect that the decisions that get made are not taken lightly,” he added.
The mayor, who has known Butts since the former chief was a student in high school, expressed profound gratitude for his service.
“We do wish him the best as we move forward.”
The municipality’s chief administrative officer is the manager for the fire department, and the mayor said he has full confidence in Nelson.
Refusing to respond to calls
Frank Crouch, a captain on the department, was among those who attended the rally in front of the town office on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
He is among the volunteers who refuse to respond until the situation is resolved.
“I won’t be responding to any calls until the town has given us answers,” he said.
“If we don’t agree with that (the town’s official statement), then I won’t be returning. I’m pretty sure, unless Marty’s reinstated, which I don’t think is going to happen, we will definitely lose 50 per cent (of the members), straight off the bat.”
Crouch recognized that the volunteer firefighters, himself included, are torn between their loyalty to the former chief and their commitment to protect the community.
“We’re firefighters, and we want to save people’s lives and we don’t want to leave the town in jeopardy. So, there’s some mixed views there, that’s the problem,” he said.
“Half of us are not going to respond, some people are going to respond. But they’re doing it for the town people, they’re not doing it for the town council.”
Asked what would happen in the event not enough firefighters respond to an emergency, the mayor said, “There are circumstances where some firefighters are unable to respond, because they’re on holiday, they’re out of town — there’s a host of possibilities that can happen, and that’s why there are mutual aid agreements.”
Leslie also recognized the challenging situation the firefighters find themselves in.
“Being on the horns of this dilemma — trying to figure out where your allegiances lie — is a difficult position for firefighters to be. This is a brotherhood that we all deeply respect,” he said.
While he respects and supports their decision regardless of what they choose to do, the mayor asked them to remain with the fire department.
“My hope and my encouragement to all firefighters, is to ask the questions that you have. You have provided that dedicated service, I urge you to please continue,” he said.
“For those firefighters that are struggling, just a request to see us through this transition — to be part of the solution to move forward.”
Another show of support for Butts is planned for tonight — Wednesday, Aug. 19 — starting at 7 p.m. at the fire hall.
