Fire Chief Placed on Paid Leave
A fire chief who refused to send his firefighters to the riot-torn streets of South Los Angeles out of concern for their safety has been placed on administrative leave, the city manager said Monday.
Fire Chief D’Wayne Scott, 51, was placed on leave with pay last Wednesday by City Manager Jerry Kenny, nearly one month after the chief turned down requests from the Los Angeles Fire Department for help in battling blazes during the riots.
“I’m very disappointed,” Scott said. “I think (city officials) are making a mistake. It’s not the correct thing to do.”
Scott’s decision created a storm of controversy and upset firefighters and members of the City Council, who thought the chief had balked on a statewide mutual aid agreement that unites fire departments in times of crisis.
Scott defended his decision on the grounds that the safety of his firefighters could not be assured.
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