Ogallala Fire Chief let go

The Ogallala Fire Chief was fired today.  According to Ogallala City Manager Harold Stewart, the decision was not an easy one but one that had to be made, nonetheless.  Stewart would not release details behind the decision as Bill Fortune, the former fire chief, has 10 days to appeal the decision to the Civil Service Commission – a 3-member board that oversees certain city personnel issues.
Stewart said Assistant Fire Chief Mike Bell will take over as interim Fire Chief.  Negotiations will be taking place this week concerning Bell’s compensation, as the Assistant Fire Chief is a volunteer position and the Fire Chief position is a paid one.
Stewart said more details will likely be released upon the Civil Service Commission’s investigation of the circumstances, if Fortune chooses to appeal the decision.
Thanks Joshua Mackey, KOGA, Ogallala