Photo by Dan Davidson
IN HAPPIER TIMES – Jim Regimbal, Dawson City’s now-former fire chief, Mayor Wayne Potoroka and André Larabie, the town’s CAO, are seen left to right in October 2015 at the launch of the project to assign formal addresses to all Dawson buildings for emergency response purposes.
Council meetings in Dawson generally begin with the approval of, or additions and deletions to, the agenda.
DAWSON CITY – Council meetings in Dawson generally begin with the approval of, or additions and deletions to, the agenda.
Tuesday evening’s was a little different.
The Dawson City Town Crier & Buyer Facebook page has been abuzz since late last week with the news that Jim Regimbal, the town’s well-respected fire chief (actually titled the protective services manager), had been terminated from his employment with the town.
A sample of the less virulent postings on the site included the following questions:
• Why was the chief let go with no explanation to the taxpayers who pay for that salary and that service?
• How does the lack of a fire chief affect fire protection services in the Dawson City area?
• Is the city phasing out the position or will another fire chief be hired?
• Does the lack of a person in the fire chief position affect the ongoing move toward having the 911 emergency call system in place in Dawson?
In email exchanges, Regimbal indicated he is not yet prepared to discuss the matter.
He did tell a Klondike Sun board member he was handed his termination letter last Wednesday.
André Larabie, the town’s Chief Administrative Officer, responded that he is unable to discuss the matter due to the Privacy Act and Confidentiality issues.
A number of people indicated that they planned to attend Tuesday evening’s regular council meeting and ask for some answers. The room was full when the meeting was due to begin.
Coun. Bill Kendrick, who was phoning into the meeting, was annoyed when Mayor Wayne Potoroka wouldn’t follow the usual practice and tell him who was in the room.
Potoroka said there were too many people for that, and those in the gallery declined to shout out their names.
“We know that some people are likely here for other reasons (than the zoning amendments at the top of the agenda), a human resources matter that has been running around social media and the news as of late,” Potoroka said.
“ ... Rather than have you sit through the entire meeting for question period at which point we’ll tell you that we can’t answer any questions about it, we would kick off by just having André say something about the matter.”
Potoroka said town officials “appreciate and understand the concerns that people have.
“Of course, last Wednesday, the council was informed by the CAO that Jim was no longer employed by the city.
“We hope that you can appreciate and understand that this is a confidential and active human resources matter being handled by our CAO. It is a private matter and, out of respect for Jim’s privacy, it’s not something that council can discuss,” the mayor said.
Larabie then spoke.
“As the mayor mentioned, Jim is no longer employed by the city as the protective services manager, effective March 23.
“The city has ensured that the necessary fire services are in place to protect its residents,” Larabie said.
“I have confirmed with the territorial fire marshal’s office that the city has adequate services in place to respond to a fire and/or other emergencies, and that the fire marshal’s office will provide any assistance that may be required, the CAO continued.
“I’ve also had discussions with the deputy fire chief and the senior captain, last Friday, that the service has 24/7 coverage, and will not change.”
The vacant position is being evaluated, Larabie added.
“Once completed, we will be planning to hire a replacement.”
Calling human resources issues “difficult,” Larabie then echoed the mayor’s statement about the town’s obligation to protect the former chief’s privacy.
Earlier in the day, a source within the volunteer firefighters’ association said the membership had not seen this action coming.
Lacking a clear sense of why the termination has occurred, the association had not yet formulated a formal response.
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Comments (4)
Up 33 Down 16
ralpH on Apr 4, 2016 at 9:10 am
@ Guncache, agreed, fat can be trimmed on both sides. From experience on both sides, I have found that if things continue unchecked they tend to become animals that cannot be controlled or funded. The real issue as I understand it is that there was some posturing on how the future of protective services was to look.
As I stated in my last comment the traditional department with a highly paid Fire Chief is unaffordable and not practible. Looking at what has become of EMS and other emergency services, a long hard look at ways of combining those services both for efficiencies and costs is the only option.
Otherwise communities who cannot afford the current status quo, will make cuts that will jeopardize safety of all its citizens. The old ways of thinking and old school leadership will not work.
Up 44 Down 26
Guncache on Apr 2, 2016 at 12:37 pm
Jim has done a lot, not just for Dawson Fire Service but for the Yukon Fire Service as well. He was an asset to the department and would be a good fit in any department. The only thing bloated is the council. It is not in the best interests of Dawson to get rid of him, it would however be in the best interest to get rid of some bloated council members.
Up 42 Down 8
Josey Whales on Mar 31, 2016 at 3:23 pm
I man with a good image and seemingly good intentions with respect to saving people through the smoke detector campaign.
I know its a personnel issue but I think we deserve to hear why he was terminated.
Up 35 Down 55
ralpH on Mar 30, 2016 at 4:34 pm
The reality is no small community can afford the position of Fire Chief anymore. They tend to become bloated departments with a sense of entitlement that tries to dictate to the councils they serve. Although Fire departments are important and needed they do need to be shaken up from time to time. I do believe that there was some push and pull going on between management and fire so in the interests of the organization management made a decision in the best interests of Dawson