YAVAPAI COUNTY, Ariz. — The Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority Board voted Monday to terminate the contract of Chief Scott Freitag after he was recently censured by a firefighter's union.
In a 3-2 vote, the board decided to terminate Freitag after the chief had been accused of bullying union members and not meeting minimum staffing levels. Freitag previously denied the allegations.
Assistant Chief of Operations John Feddema has been appointed as the agency's interim fire chief.
Don Jongewaard, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona, praised the board's decision following Monday's meeting.
"What we heard again and again is that they want to see CAFMA move forward," Jongewaard said in a statement. "They want the district to direct more resources to putting boots on the ground, to make 911 calls faster and more efficient."
Last month, the International Association of Firefighters voted to censure Freitag over the allegations.
Before Monday's meeting, letters expressing support for Freitag were submitted to the CAFMA board that described Freitag as a "pillar of leadership" in the community.
The CAFMA district covers over 300 square miles of Yavapai County in the areas of Chino Valley and Prescott Valley.
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