The Fort Madison Civil Service Commission has backed the firing of a member of the city’s fire department.
Firefighter Patrick Gray was fired on May 21, 2013.
The termination came nine days after the fire truck he was driving struck a vehicle parked in a parking lot.
Gray had a blood alcohol level of .067 at the time of the incident.
He appealed his termination to the Fort Madison Civil Service Commission.
Gray focused on three points: the severity of the punishment, the authority of Fire Chief Joey Herren to test his blood alcohol level, & the availability of counseling services.
The commission sided with the city on each point.
The three-member panel cited the report from the May 12, 2013 incident and reports about other incidents involving Gray that were presented as evidence.
That evidence revealed Gray reported to work under the influence several times and was also involved in multiple driving accidents.
The ruling can be appealed through the district court.
You can read the full report from the Fort Madison Civil Service Commission here.
