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Female firefighters back on full duty

By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published September 22, 2005

CLEARWATER - A ban that prohibited female firefighters from entering burning buildings was lifted Wednesday after the fire chief said there was no immediate threat against the women. Fire Chief Jamie Geer instituted the ban Saturday, after he learned that some women who discussed leaving the local fire union were told by male counterparts they would not make it out of their next structure fire.

All nine of the city's female firefighters were subject to the ban, which was implemented for the women's safety, Geer said.

The women who said they were threatened are now unwilling to cooperate in an investigation into the allegations, city officials said Wednesday. In a release, city officials said the investigation will continue but they found no evidence of an immediate threat. Geer lifted his order, returning the women to full duty.

Union leaders questioned the allegations and the timing of Geer's order, saying it overshadowed a Tuesday union vote indicating no confidence in Geer. A majority of union members said Geer is unable to head the 215-person department, the union reported.

"There's not one person here that we believe would make a threat at all," said Dave Hogan, union secretary and treasurer. "It's an accusation that we don't take lightly."

City leaders, including the mayor and city manager, continued to support Geer, saying he was being proactive in protecting his employees. Both questioned the results of the union vote.

"We have to take any threat seriously just like we have to respond to every medical call," Mayor Frank Hibbard said. "I do not believe there's a conspiracy by the chief."

Geer could not be reached Wednesday.

City spokeswoman Joelle Castelli said she did not think there were any fire calls involving female firefighters while the ban was in effect.

Details of the threat remain unknown. The chief has not said how he was made aware of the threat, to whom it was made or how many women it involved. He has said the women wished to remain anonymous.

"I assume, from the young ladies' reaction, that the threat is less viable," City Manager Bill Horne said. "I don't want the city to be perceived ... to be crying wolf."

Geer has ruffled feathers in the department since he took over 13 months ago.

He overhauled the department's administration, reclassified medic positions and is reshaping the department's command structure. In a recent report card to city leaders, he gave his department a "D" for fire suppression and a "C" for special operations.

"I still have the complete support of the city and the city manager and elected officials," Geer told the Times late Tuesday, after the results of the union vote were announced.

[Last modified September 22, 2005, 01:03:19]