Firefighters fired

Fire Chief William Kelleher terminated Firefighter Cody Ashton and Firefighter Chris Hertzog yesterday, a week after their involvement in a fight at a local bar (see related story).

News of the firings broke when Ashton posted an apology on the inmaricopa.com forum. “I would like to start out by saying that I am so sorry for everything that the situation I was part of has brought onto this community, fire dept., and city,” Ashton wrote late Saturday night. “I myself, Cody Ashton, and my firefighter brother, Chris Hertzog have not only lost our jobs, but our young careers.” (Click here to read post in its entirety.)

Reached at home Sunday, Chief Kelleher confirmed the news: “Yes, I made the decision and they’re both terminated. It was the result of an investigation done by the city and the sheriff’s office, and it was determined this was the proper course of action to take.”

Kelleher had his decision-making authority stripped by city management earlier in the week as the city stumbled through the crisis, even questioning whether it had the authority to discipline the firefighters (see related story). Today, however, it appears the fire chief is being allowed to manage his department again.

“No one makes a decision like this hastily or unilaterally,” Chief Kelleher said about the firings, “but the responsibility is mine.”

Calls to Mayor Kelly Anderson and the city’s spokesperson, Jennifer Grentz, seeking comment were not returned.