Fire commissioner axes four firefighters, suspends 43 more

• Reprints

Updated: November 10, 2011 11:09AM

In a rebuke to Chicago’s inspector general, Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff is firing just four of the 54 firefighters who falsely claimed about $100,000 worth of mileage expenses in 2009.

Six other firefighters have retired, and 43 others face suspensions ranging from 30 to 60 days. Punishment for a 54th firefighter is pending.

Inspector General Joe Ferguson had recommended that all 54 be fired and that the fire prevention bureau be disbanded and replaced by civilian employees of the city building department.

The four firefighters terminated by Hoff were initially fired in 2008 for accepting or arranging cash payments in exchange for making weekend pump inspections. An arbitrator subsequently reversed the firings.

“They were told, ‘if you do it again, you ain’t getting another chance,’” fire department spokesman Larry Langford said.

For the 43 firefighters who were suspended, Hoff said he based his decision on their “otherwise clean disciplinary records” and on Ferguson’s finding that the mileage padding was “condoned by supervisors since well before 2009.”

In a written statement explaining his decision, Hoff says a 60-day suspension results in an “out-of-pocket loss” of about $12,000 per employee.

He also demoted Nick Russell, deputy commissioner of the fire prevention bureau, and Sal Marquez, Russell’s deputy chief, for exercising lax supervision.

“I took these allegations very seriously. ... Those who violate (the public) trust by breaking rules and engaging in prohibited conduct will be disciplined,” the statement says.

Ferguson declined to comment on Hoff’s action.

Hoff’s disciplinary action did not please Tom Ryan, president of Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2, which may challenge the firings and suspensions.

“We are going to protect the rights of our members here and are looking at all of the options available to them through our contract and the grievance process,” Ryan said in a statement.