Bad News Continues In Velarde NM Fire Department

Posted by: Curt Varone August 9, 2012 1 Comment

There is more bad news coming out of the beleaguered Velarde, New Mexico, Fire Department. The interium fire chief, appointed to replace the chief who was at the center of a major dispute, showed up at the fire station Monday evening for a meeting appearing to be drunk, wearing body armor and carrying two firearms including an assault rifle.

Interim Fire Chief Darwin Yazzie was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. He allegedly appeared at the department’s monthly meeting and threatened firefighters.

Officials from Rio Arriba County indicated on Tuesday they had terminated Chief Yazzie and had obtained a restraining order prohibiting him from having contact with the department or its members.

News reports indicate that Chief Yazzie’s behavior is believed to have been promoted by a rift in the department over the termination of the previous fire chief, Eddie Velarde. More on that story.

 

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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