The mayor sent the above response when the Outlook asked for a comment regarding the chief’s termination. The longer redaction concerns Outlook employee matters which are confidential.
By Carolyn Reid
Mayor Sebastian Ernst relieved Fire Chief Dave Klaber of his duties last weekend. The move comes with no reason from the mayor or from Klaber, both of whom were contacted for comment.
The former chief refused to comment at all on the situation that pulled him from a department he has served for 20 years. Assistant Chief John Lucas resigned on the spot due to being handed a demotion.
Travis Reis, an assistant chief under Klaber, was promoted to chief by the mayor. That appointment has to be approved by city council according to City Ordinance 35.16 which addresses Appointment of the Fire Chief and the Assistant Chief: The Mayor, with the approval of the City Council, shall appoint a qualified Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department, and an Assistant Chief who shall perform the duties of the Chief in the absence of the Chief. (Ord. 33.01, passed 2-10-81; Am. Ord. 33.05, passed 3-16-01; Am. Ord. 2021:2, passed 4-20-21).
The current assistant chief is Stephen Gales.
Judge/Executive David Fields said he began receiving calls of concern from businesses in the county once the news broke. They needed assurance of adequate fire coverage, in some cases before they felt comfortable starting their businesses up for the day. Fields told the Outlook, “I had no indication this was happening, and I don’t know why it did.”
While he acknowledges the fire department is under the mayor’s jurisdiction, he also felt he needed to know about this change in order to communicate with the county. He said Reis ensured the department was adequately staffed to cover any emergencies.
Reis confirmed that with the Outlook, as well. “As of right now, I am just acting chief due to the absence of the chief and the other assistant chief. As acting chief, I will plan to keep everything going as smoothly as possible-- ‘business as usual.’ We are still staffed with volunteers to provide fire protection for the city and county residents in their time of need.”
As of this moment, Reis said 20 members were on the volunteer rosters.