Firefighters criticize fire chief for working 2 full-time positions

CLAREMONT, N.C. — Claremont's fire chief is facing a slew of complaints and all are from his firefighters.

They were supposed to discuss the issue with town leaders Thursday, concerned about his second full-time job.

Leaders said they would not talk about the issue because it was a personnel matter. After that, two firefighters quit.

The fire chief also holds a job at the Raleigh Fire Department, which is more than two hours away.
 
The chief said Thursday he loves firefighting and that the town knew about his other full-time job in Raleigh when they hired him.

Fire Chief Bart Travis said he understands the concern but when it comes down to working as Claremont's fire chief and as a fire captain in Raleigh, he is fulfilling his obligations to both departments.

"It's not the perfect situation and it is not the perfect world but I think everyone has been happy to this point,” Travis said. “And I think I've done what has been asked of me and more."

But not everyone is pleased that Claremont chief is working two full-time jobs two and half hours apart, including former long-time volunteer Danny Hedrick. 
 
"I think it is wrong for the citizens of Claremont and business owners like my wife and myself for the chief to be drawing pay here with the amount of taxes we're paying and doing the same in Raleigh," Hedrick said.

Channel 9 found out Travis makes $56,000 as Claremont's chief and $62,000 as a Raleigh fire captain totaling $118,000 a year.
 
One of the department's committees was scheduled to meet with town leaders Thursday's about the chief's two jobs and what it describes as a dozen other complaints involving his leadership. 
 
But Travis said he is able to do both jobs because in Raleigh he works 10 24-hour shifts a month, leaving him time to rest and work the other full-time job in Claremont. He said he is committed to both departments.
 
"Being a firefighter is my life," Travis said. "It is my chosen life. But being the chief here and the captain there is not my life that is my job. And I intend to do my job to the best of my abilities."
 
The town manager said he knew about the job in Raleigh when Travis was hired last December and since then he has had a good performance review.
 
Town leaders will look at his employment agreement at their next council meeting on Nov. 3.

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