The fire chief of Niagara Falls has been terminated over remarks he allegedly made online. Fire Chief Roger Melchior was fired on Monday, February 7, 2011 by Mayor Paul A. Dyster.
Dyster alleged that Chief Melchior made derogatory remarks about “Camel Jockies” in a web forum for Baltimore fire officers. Chief Melchior worked as a firefighter in Baltimore and Green Bay prior to being hired in Niagara Falls in 2010.
When confronted with the statements by the media and city officials, Chief Melchior denied having made them. However, including in the postings were details that presumably only the chief would know.
According to the mayor, the denial contributed to his decision: "There were two separate issues. What comments were posted and did he own up to posting them?” In the mayor’s eyes, the Chief’s failure to own up to making the postings was the icing on the cake.