This article, originally published March 1 at 5:48 p.m. was updated March 1 at 7:52 p.m. to add comment from Jeffrey Buddle, president of the Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association
A senior Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) employee engaged in misconduct in 2019 and 2021, violating the Code of Conduct, according to a memorandum released Friday by the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
The memo signed by Montgomery County Inspector General Megan Limarzi said the OIG received a complaint Jan. 2 alleging multiple incidents of “inappropriate conduct” by the employee.
“We can not confirm the identity of the subject employee as it is a personnel matter,” the inspector general’s office said in an email statement to MoCo360.
Jeffrey Buddle, president of the Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association, said in a statement late Friday that the union was “aware of the public report.”
“Our members who stepped forward to provide witness testimony should be commended for their courage in providing first-hand accounts of such misconduct,” Buddle wrote. “Rest assured that their testimony to the Inspector General is protected by law from retaliation or reprisal by anyone in Montgomery County Government or otherwise.”
According to the OIG memo, the employee in 2019 “used language that violated the decorum provision” in the MCFRS Code of Ethics and On-Duty Personal Conduct.
The Code of Conduct states that on-duty personnel must not “refer to or speak to any other person or group in a way that may reasonably be construed as demeaning or constituting discrimination…engage in any unbecoming conduct…use violent, insolent, or obscene language or behavior at any time.”
In 2021, the employee violated the “hands-off” and “decorum provisions” of the Code of Ethics and On-Duty Contact, the memo alleged.
The Code of Conduct also states that on-duty personnel must “…behave in a professional manner that reflects favorably on the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service…be courteous and respectful toward the public, each other…maintain proper decorum and behavior…refrain from any horseplay that a reasonable person should know may injure someone…behave with professionalism regarding any physical contact. Unwelcome or offensive touching is prohibited.”
Limarzi addressed the memo to county Chief Administrative Officer Rich Madaleno, saying that “I am referring this matter to you for whatever action you deem appropriate.”
MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer said that “presumably, it’s a personnel matter, especially since the person is not named, only that it’s a MCFRS official.”
Scott Peterson, spokesperson for Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, said in an email statement that the county government cannot comment on the findings “due to personnel laws.”
Buddle mentioned Elrich in the union’s statement, writing that “Elrich has failed in his responsibility to hold senior MCFRS officials to the same level of accountability as those in the rank and file. This is unacceptable and he should be held to account for allowing such practices under his leadership as Montgomery County Executive.”
Interim Fire Chief Gary Cooper did not immediately respond to MoCo360’s request via email for comment on Friday.
MCFRS Division Chief Charles Bailey, who was nominated in November by Elrich to be the next fire chief, also did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from MoCo360.