THE long-standing chief fire officer for Essex has been suspended in a disagreement thought to surround sick-leave and performance.
Essex Fire & Rescue Service boss David Johnson was suspended yesterday (April 20) pending an internal investigation.
The fire service is remaining tight-lipped on the subject, but it is understood the decision was made after he attempted to return to duty from "special leave".
Anthony Hedley, chairman of the Essex Fire Authority – which holds the service to account – said: "Chief fire officer David Johnson has been suspended pending an internal investigation.
"At this stage, I can offer no further comment to allow due process to take place.
"It should be remembered that suspension is a neutral act."
Mr Johnson has been on special leave since at least June 2014 while his deputy Adam Eckley has filled in during his absence.
About six weeks ago he asked to return to full duty, but the service is believed to still be resolving issues relating to his performance and so opted to suspend him.
The chief fire officer, who holds the dual role of chief executive, is paid £149,748.66 per year – plus potentially another £28,000 annually as emergency planning officer.
It is not known whether he has been suspended on full pay.
Alan Chin-Shaw, Fire Brigade Union secretary for Essex, said: "On behalf of the union we find it quite surprising that the Fire Authority have moved to suspend the chief fire officer and we would be hopeful that any investigation is carried out in an open and transparent manner in line with the Acas guidelines and his conditions of service because that’s not been the case with members of the FBU who have been investigated before."
The fire service for Essex aims to reduce its 656 county officers, as of 2012/13, by 179 and make £7.7 million in savings by 2017/18.
