Idaho Firefighter Says He Was Canned After Blowing the Whistle on Chief Driving Truck While Intoxicated
A fire district is being sued by a former training captain who claims he was terminated after he reported that his supervisor drove a fire engine while intoxicated.
The Times-News, which is based in Twin Falls, Idaho, reports that Brent Blamires of Kimberly, Idaho has filed suit against Rock Creek Rural Fire District and Chief Jason Keller for wrongful termination and for violating the state's Whistleblower Act.
Blamires, who was hired by the department in October 2011, alleges he was fired for reporting that Keller had driven a fire district vehicle while under the influence. Keller received a week-long suspension as a result of the disclosure and later fired Blamires for "disorderly conduct." In his complaint, Blamires claims he was the victim of harassment, by Keller and other members of the department, in retaliation for blowing the whistle on the incident.
Keller was a recent finalist for the position of fire chief, but his name was dropped as a result of the action.
Idaho's whistleblowing policies made headlines last year after the state enacted a law that effectively prohibited individuals from reporting crimes in the agriculture industry. The "Ag Gag" law was struck down by a judge who ruled the legislation unconstitutional.
The defendants have until September to answer the complaint.
