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Victoria News
Deputy fire chief leaves under cloud of mystery
By Keith Vass - Victoria News
Published: October 14, 2008 3:00 PM
Updated: October 14, 2008 3:55 PM
The Victoria Fire Department has parted company with one of its two deputy chiefs, but isn't saying if he quit or was fired, not even to the department's rank and file.
Deputy chief of operations Vern Starling, who had been in the role for more than a year, left the department last week. He came to Victoria after a 30-year career with the Edmonton fire department.
Victoria Firefighters Union president Rick Farrell said the news came a surprise to everyone Oct. 10 when it was announced in the form of a routine order issued by Chief Doug Angrove. It said Starling was no longer employed by the city and that his position is not being immediately filled, but gave no reasons.
Starling had been absent from work for about a week before the order came, Farrell said.
"Chief Angrove and Deputy Chief Paul Bruce both were telling people that inquired that he was sick," Farrell said. "This is still pretty new to us."
There were no signs of trouble before Starling's absence and the union was "developing a good working relationship with him, Farrell said.
"We felt a little misled," Farrell said. "I mean look, tell us. Has a person been let go? Is it a performance issue? Have they quit? I mean, tell us the truth."
Mayor Alan Lowe said Angrove briefed Victoria city council last Thursday about Starling's departure in an in-camera meeting.
"We were apprised of the situation ... when the fire chief came forward to say the situation with the deputy chief wasn't working out here," said Lowe.
"It's one of these things where it is a personnel issue, and I really can't comment on what the chief told us."
The decision was Angrove's to make and his appearance at council was only to advise council, Lowe said.
The situation had "nothing to do whatever" with a decision to retain labour lawyer Marli Rusen to conduct sexual harassment training for the fire department, Lowe added.
Rusen is under investigation by the Law Society of B.C. over allegations she had a sexual relationship with former Victoria police chief Paul Battershill while she was working on contract for the Victoria police board.
Battershill admitted the affair to RCMP investigators probing his conduct as chief after he was suspended last October. He resigned in August, three days before a planned disciplinary hearing.
Neither Angrove nor Starling were immediately available for comment.
kvass@vicnews.com
http://www.bclocalne...s/30974404.html
Deputy Fire Chief Leaves Under Cloud of Mystery
Started by
martini
, Oct 14 2008 03:31 PM
2 replies to this topic
#2
martini
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- Member
- 2,670 posts
Posted 16 October 2008 - 07:18 AM
No explanation given for deputy fire chief's dismissal
Rob Shaw
Times Colonist
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Victoria's deputy fire chief has been fired, but the department isn't saying why.
Vern Starling, who was in charge of operations, left his job effectively last Friday, said Victoria fire Chief Doug Angrove.
"I can't comment too much on personnel issues, but one thing I can say is Vern Starling is a great person and one of the nicest and most honest persons I know," said Angrove.
He called the termination "difficult for both parties" and said Starling is currently negotiating a severance agreement. A top deputy chief can earn up to $106,000 a year.
Starling came to Victoria from the Edmonton Fire Department, where he had spent more than 31 years working his way up from firefighter to one of four platoon chiefs in the more than 1,000-person department.
"He was very highly thought of," said Edmonton Fire Fighters Union president Greg Holubowich.
"Vern is a people person, he knows the business, he knows what's right and what's wrong and, again, he's a man who values relationships. That's his leadership style. And he leads by example, and people follow him."
The lack of an explanation on his sudden departure has left firefighters scratching their heads.
"That's the mystery," said Rick Farrell, Victoria Firefighters Association president. "Administration didn't really tell us anything."
Firefighters noticed Starling missing from work last week but were told he was sick, said Farrell.
That was apparently not the case.
Angrove went to a closed-door meeting of Victoria city council last Thursday and told city officials he was firing Starling, said Mayor Alan Lowe. He told council the problems had existed for some time, said Lowe.
"It is up to the chief to deal with his staff," said Lowe, who added neither he nor council had anything to do with the decision.
A call to a number listed under Starling's name was not returned yesterday.
There are no immediate plans to fill Starling's job, said Angrove.
The department will first figure out its internal succession plan for future chiefs and deputies, he said, acknowledging, however, that that could take years.
Starling's departure was leaked to the media via a series of anonymous voice messages suggesting Starling had been fired for hiring labour lawyer Marli Rusen to give harassment lessons to firefighters in September. Rusen had an affair with former Victoria police Chief Paul Battershill while accepting contract work from the police board. The affair ultimately contributed to Battershill losing his job.
However, the mayor and the fire chief were quick to downplay any link. Lowe called it "totally incorrect" and Angrove said there was "absolutely no truth" to the suggestion Starling was fired for hiring Rusen.
They both called the many rumours and allegations being levelled anonymously in the wake of Battershill's departure "disappointing."
rfshaw@tc.canwest.com
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008
Rob Shaw
Times Colonist
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Victoria's deputy fire chief has been fired, but the department isn't saying why.
Vern Starling, who was in charge of operations, left his job effectively last Friday, said Victoria fire Chief Doug Angrove.
"I can't comment too much on personnel issues, but one thing I can say is Vern Starling is a great person and one of the nicest and most honest persons I know," said Angrove.
He called the termination "difficult for both parties" and said Starling is currently negotiating a severance agreement. A top deputy chief can earn up to $106,000 a year.
Starling came to Victoria from the Edmonton Fire Department, where he had spent more than 31 years working his way up from firefighter to one of four platoon chiefs in the more than 1,000-person department.
"He was very highly thought of," said Edmonton Fire Fighters Union president Greg Holubowich.
"Vern is a people person, he knows the business, he knows what's right and what's wrong and, again, he's a man who values relationships. That's his leadership style. And he leads by example, and people follow him."
The lack of an explanation on his sudden departure has left firefighters scratching their heads.
"That's the mystery," said Rick Farrell, Victoria Firefighters Association president. "Administration didn't really tell us anything."
Firefighters noticed Starling missing from work last week but were told he was sick, said Farrell.
That was apparently not the case.
Angrove went to a closed-door meeting of Victoria city council last Thursday and told city officials he was firing Starling, said Mayor Alan Lowe. He told council the problems had existed for some time, said Lowe.
"It is up to the chief to deal with his staff," said Lowe, who added neither he nor council had anything to do with the decision.
A call to a number listed under Starling's name was not returned yesterday.
There are no immediate plans to fill Starling's job, said Angrove.
The department will first figure out its internal succession plan for future chiefs and deputies, he said, acknowledging, however, that that could take years.
Starling's departure was leaked to the media via a series of anonymous voice messages suggesting Starling had been fired for hiring labour lawyer Marli Rusen to give harassment lessons to firefighters in September. Rusen had an affair with former Victoria police Chief Paul Battershill while accepting contract work from the police board. The affair ultimately contributed to Battershill losing his job.
However, the mayor and the fire chief were quick to downplay any link. Lowe called it "totally incorrect" and Angrove said there was "absolutely no truth" to the suggestion Starling was fired for hiring Rusen.
They both called the many rumours and allegations being levelled anonymously in the wake of Battershill's departure "disappointing."
rfshaw@tc.canwest.com
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008
#3
VicHockeyFan
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- Suspended User
- 52,121 posts
Posted 16 October 2008 - 10:55 AM
^
...that sounds about the right speed for this city.
There are no immediate plans to fill Starling's job, said Angrove.
The department will first figure out its internal succession plan for future chiefs and deputies, he said, acknowledging, however, that that could take years.
...that sounds about the right speed for this city.
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