Chief Demoted Over Off Duty Use Of City Vehicle

An Indiana fire chief has been demoted after a local taxpayer watchdog reported him for taking his city vehicle out of state for non-emergency reasons. Elwood Mayor Todd Jones demoted Fire Chief Brad Compton last week following an investigation that established the chief took his assigned Elwood Fire Department pickup truck to Marshall, Illinois.

The watchdog reportedly sent Mayor Todd photos showing Chief Compton unloading tools from the truck in Marshall.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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