IMMOKALEE, Fla. -- The future of the Immokalee fire chief was decided Wednesday following complaints about his job performance.
District commissioners voted Wednesday to fire Chief Paul Anderson, who is accused of breaking department rules by allowing cadets into a fire scene. He's also been scrutinized for allegedly cashing-in on sick days he never used, which fire commissioners claim violates his contract.
"It had nothing to do with morale, it had nothing to do with the union, it had nothing to do with consolidation of the fire districts," said Immokalee Fire Board Chair Ann Goodnight.
Several battalion commanders also say morale in the department is low under Anderson's leadership. Anderson said he did his best to mend those relationships.
"Both sides have to be able to work on this and obviously they weren't willing to work on it," said Anderson of his former employees.
Deputy Chief Michael Choate has been named interim chief.
The board will hold another meeting April 20th to determine a permanent replacement.
