Richmond firefighters union calls on fire chief to resign

RECOMMENDED IN 2019 AFTER SEVERAL DEADLY POLICE SHOOTINGS. >> A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE TAKEN BY HIS OWN DEPARTMENT. FIREFIGHTERS IN RICHMOND ACCUSING THEIR CHIEF OF DESERTION AND DERELICTION OF CRITICAL DUTIES. ANNE MAKOVEC HAS MORE ON THE CONTROVERSY THAT HAS BEEN BREWING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. >> NOW THE UNION IS CALLING THE DEPARTMENT A RUDDERLESS SHIP. THEY SAY THE CHIEF SPENDS MOST TIME AT HIS HOME IN ORANGE COUNTY INSTEAD OF MANNING THE DEPARTMENT. THE CHIEF HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE RICHMOND FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS. THE UNION IS ACCUSING HIM OF BEING ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. THEY CALL IT AN URGENT SAFETY ISSUE AND SAID THEY HAVE WORKED WITH THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO OUST HIM, BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN A STATEMENT, THEY SAID THAT CHIEF MONTOYA'S REFUSAL TO ADDRESS PRESSING SAFETY ISSUES, UNWILLINGNESS TO MEET AND CONFER AND HIS EXCESSIVE ABSENCE FROM THE CITY OF RICHMOND MAKE HIM ON CAPABLE OF RUNNING A SAFE, FUNCTIONAL AND COST-EFFECTIVE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE UNION SAYS HIS ABSENCE HAS AFFECTED THE DEPARTMENT IN LOCATIONS, INCLUDING THE RECENT HILLSIDE EMERGENCY WHEN A POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS MUDSLIDE WAS AFFECTING HOMES IN POINT RICHMOND. THE UNION ALSO SAYS FIREFIGHTERS ARE WORKING UP TO 480 HOURS WITHOUT TIME OFF,

Channel: KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA

Views: 3,031

Keywords: KPIX 5 News Evening, Anne Makovec, Richmond, Contra Costa County, Richmond Fire Department, Richmond Fire Chief, Richmond Firefighters Local 188

Id: kimZRS6TBRI

Length: 1min 30sec (90 seconds)

Published: Wed Jul 26 2023