Greenwich Post Greenwich deputy chief didn’t submit fire paperwork Oct 4, 2007 More details are beginning to emerge surrounding First Selectman James Lash’s efforts to dismiss Greenwich Fire Department (GFD) Deputy Chief Joseph Benoit. Deputy Chief Benoit, who also serves as the GFD’s fire marshal, was placed on paid administrative leave by Mr. Lash last month. A hearing will be held on whether the firing is justified. At the time, Mr. Lash gave no public reason why he made the decision to fire Deputy Chief Benoit, who is a 20-year GFD veteran. However, Mr. Lash now cites a reported failure of Deputy Chief Benoit to properly turn in paperwork as one of the reasons. “This is a fact,” Mr. Lash told the Postwhen asked about the paperwork. “It was a factor in the decision. It certainly wasn’t the only reason. It will be hard for me to say there was one reason for doing this. I wouldn’t want to characterize it that way. It was one of the elements.” The state fire marshal’s office requires all local fire departments to file detailed incident reports on all calls to which departments respond. Under the plan, the departments are supposed to inform their fire marshal, who then informs the state fire marshal. Mr. Lash said the town was cited on two occasions about missing reports before he made the decision. Sue Vaughn, head of data management for the state office, said the office had received reports from the GFD in April and May of this year. While there were missing months, Ms. Vaughn said she wasn’t sure how many missed reports there were because she couldn’t speculate on how many fire calls the GFD responded to. In addition, she said, it wasn’t unusual for towns not to submit paperwork. “There are a number of departments that have been unable to submit for reasons like software issues or changing personnel,” she said. “In 2006 we had 10 departments who couldn’t report. In 2007, we currently have 29, but we go through a process where we notify those departments and encourage them to get the reports in. I’m expecting those numbers to decrease.” Ms. Vaughn said the state office had no authority to enforce its rule and could not issue any fines. It could only “encourage” fire departments to submit the correct paperwork. Mr. Lash confirmed the town faced no action for the missing paperwork. Last month the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the appointment of Michael Wittenberg, president of the Westchester County-based Bargaining Associates, as a hearing officer in Deputy Chief Benoit’s case. Before a hearing may be held, Deputy Chief Benoit will have to be informed by letter about the specific reasons Mr. Lash is seeking his dismissal. Once that letter is received, the town will hold the hearing no less than five days and no more than 10 after its receipt. Mr. Lash said on Tuesday the letter had not yet been sent and did not say specifically when it would be. “Some new information has arisen and it’s something that we have to go through,” Mr. Lash said. “The letter should be sent soon.” Mr. Lash said the new information was related to Deputy Chief Benoit’s job performance but did not elaborate. “I’m not going to discuss it,” Mr. Lash said. He added, “We’re not under any time pressure, but we want to get this settled. As soon as we get the information we’re looking for, we will move ahead.” During the hearing, Mr. Wittenberg will meet with both Mr. Lash and Deputy Chief Benoit to get their perspectives for his evaluation. This may be done at an open or closed hearing, and it will be Deputy Chief Benoit’s decision how to proceed. Deputy Chief Benoit could not be reached for comment. kborsuk@greenwich-post.com © Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers