Did fence flap foil a fire promotion?

TAMPA - Firefighter Stephen Brand used to be a part-time contractor, often performing side jobs for colleagues.

One of his former clients? Current Tampa fire Chief Aria Green.

Now Brand, a 22-year veteran, believes he may have missed out on a coveted promotion because Green disliked the work he did on a fence several years ago.

Brand and the chief disagree on why Brand lost the opportunity - perhaps the last of his career - to be promoted from firefighter to driver/engineer. But both agree the fence was a major topic of conversation when a frustrated Brand sought an explanation.

The job, one of two driver/engineer openings, went to a firefighter who ranked lower on the Fire Department's promotions list. Brand, 46, got a chance to speak with Green about it on New Year's Eve.

"He shook my hand," Brand said last week. "He looked at me across the table. He said, "Steve, it's the fence.' "

Brand, who was first or second on the department's promotions list after a flood of retirements and promotions, also maintains that Green had promised to advance people based on their rankings on the list. The snub has drawn the attention of firefighters Local 754, which represents more than 500 employees.

Union president Larry Parker said he should know today whether the union will file a grievance. Brand, an instructor and a member of the department's hazardous materials team since its inception, is "very capable of doing the job," Parker said.

"We're saddened that it came down to a personal bias," Parker said. "I haven't talked to a single individual ... who can believe he (Green) said that."

Yet even Brand acknowledges there could be additional reasons he remains a firefighter at east Tampa's Station 16. His outspokenness can rub people the wrong way, he said.

Green agreed with Brand's own self-analysis, adding it's his prerogative to promote "the best people."

In a four-page memo issued Dec. 12, Green wrote that he would consider personnel records, supervisors' opinions, past assignments, education and training, character and certifications in making decisions about promotions. On Monday, Green said the fence fiasco reinforced doubts he already had about Brand's work ethic.

According to Brand, who earns about $45,000 a year, Green was unhappy that a fence post was too high and that Brand missed several days of work on the fence. Brand said the job took longer than expected because Green decided to expand the fence. By that time, Brand had started another job.

Green says about 10 fence posts were too high and that Brand missed about a half-dozen work days, once because of a field hockey commitment. He finally told Brand he would finish the work himself.

In addition, Green described Brand as a sometimes reluctant employee while Green was Brand's captain. He said Brand didn't always want to do minor chores, complaining that it was considered rookies' work. That also came up at the New Year's Eve meeting, both said.

"I've got the right to promote anyone I want," said Green. "I just didn't think his work ethic is what it should be."

Parker doesn't challenge Green's right to hire anyone from the group of candidates culled from the list. But he doesn't think the chief offered good reasons for not promoting Brand.

For many, a promotion to driver/engineer is a stepping stone to officer positions.

Brand added that he received a good job evaluation in November that was approved by Green.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright