Darrell Fournier is taking a two-week break from his duties as Freeport fire chief, recuperating from shoulder-replacement surgery. Two days of that time, however, includes an unpaid suspension.
And while the controversy surrounding Fournier’s second job – which he has resigned – has not totally subsided, Fournier now is in the clear as far as his boss is concerned. Town Manager Peter Joseph last Thursday issued the two-day, unpaid suspension to Fournier, effective Jan. 15-16.
Fournier has been the subject of scrutiny since Dec. 20, when fire destroyed a duplex on Unity Lane. He had been part time working for Paul Davis Restoration, a restoration company that responds to fire scenes and offers its services. He has been accused of promoting the company while on duty. Fournier subsequently resigned from his second job.
Meanwhile, the Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association is conducting a probe into whether Fournier violated its code of ethics. If he is found to have violated the code, censure or expulsion from the organization could ensue. Fournier is listed as correspondence secretary on the Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association website.
Joseph said that the Maine Fire Chiefs’ Association investigation has no bearing on Fournier’s employment with the town. Joseph also said that the chief’s promotion of an outside company “could have created the appearance of a conflict of interest to the general public,” hence the two-day suspension.
“This, combined with his voluntary resignation of the outside employment, leads me to believe that Chief Fournier has taken adequate steps to address the situation and to ensure that this will not be an issue moving forward,” Joseph said.
Based on his gross weekly salary of $1,653.35, the two-day suspension will cost Fournier about $660.
Fournier has worked in the Freeport Fire Department for 16 years.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
