By Carolyn Reid
Within 24 hours after submitting his resignation letter to both of the county’s city councils, Fire Chief Dave Klaber rescinded that resignation.
As of press time, the chief had not responded as to why he decided to resign (some sources say he actually retired), nor why he decided to rescind his retirement. Incoming Mayor Sebastian Ernst may have shed some light on the reason, though, in his response to the question. He says he was not prepared for the letter the council received during his last caucus as a Falmouth City Council member.
“It took me by surprise when I read his resignation letter while reviewing the monthly department reports. I immediately reached out to Chief Klaber and reassured him that I am an ally to the department.”
Witnesses state that they saw Ernst and Klaber near the fire department in deep discussion after the council meeting and Klaber’s announcement. Ernst hinted that that the change of administration likely led to the resignation, and the discussion likely opened the door to the rescission.
“With any change in leadership there will always be uncertainty within the ranks,” he stated.
Outgoing Mayor Ron Stinson was distressed to hear get word of Klaber’s intention to resign. “He has done such a good job,” Stinson shared. “I want continuity there. I want that for all of them and for the city.”
Stinson and reporter Brenda Higgins, as well as some council members, stated at over 20 members of the fire department came to the meeting to show their support. Their main concern, aside from Klaber’s resignation, was that their administration would remain as stable as possible. They supported Asst. Fire Chief Lucas as chief and Asst. Fire Chief 1 Travis Reis as Lucas’s assistant.
Stinson expressed his relief that Klaber changed his mind. “I’m glad for the department, the city, and the county.
Incoming Butler Mayor Mason Taylor had unique insight being a Butler Council member as well as a first responder.
“In the life of a first responder there comes a time where you have to make one of the most hardest decisions in your career, and that’s deciding to walk away.”
Taylor shared some of the Butler council’s reaction, which seemed similar to Falmouth council’s reaction.
“It was brought up at this current council’s last meeting with some shock to others. As the incoming mayor, it made me a little uneasy because we truly are one of the few counties in northern kentucky that still rely on volunteer firemen.
“Once I heard of the rescission I contacted the chief thanking him for making the decision to stay. It affects more than the person; it affects the person, the other members, but most importantly the families.”
Falmouth Councilperson Luke Price was quick to share how much the chief has done for the department in the two years he has been in the position. Stinson pointed out some of those things had not been handled for years.
Among the list were the following:
• Separate and locked personnel files, including training files and certificates along with audits of those certifications
• Maintenance spreadsheets, with that maintenance being performed by certified mechanics and not in-house due to the sophisticated equipment
• Hose, ladder, self-contained breathing apparatus and mask fitting testing annually; truck DOT inspections and pump testing annually
• Explosion-proof fill system for the SCBA system; bottles inventoried; replacements added where needed
• Weekly truck checks completed and documented
• Station improvements
• Standard operating procedures developed, eliminating random promotions; promotions instead granted via application, testing, and an interview process; code of social media conduct also addressed
• Gear inventory and replacement (standards call for replacement every five years)
• Command vehicle to allow command to get to scene first to allow for scene mitigation
• Increased number of training hours; accountability system on trucks
• Landing zones updated with dispatch and aero medical services
• Grants applied for and received
• Monthly reports for council members (coordinate with Michele Hamilton)
• Installed security cameras
These actions and others led Falmouth Councilperson Amy Hurst to praise the chief in his role. “He has done a phenomenal job cleaning up the department, and I am glad he has decided to stay on.”
Taylor expressed his eagerness to work with Klaber during his tenure.
“I’ve worked with Chief Klaber on multiple occasions and hope to continue to have a working relationship as the new year comes in and my mayorship starts.”