Chief Scott Freitag, who was unanimously censured by delegates at the IAFF’s 57th convention, has been terminated.
The Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA) board decided in a 3-2 vote to end Freitag’s contract. This action came after United Yavapai Fire Fighters Local 3066 members issued a vote of no confidence on Sept. 10 against Freitag citing a hostile work environment and collective bargaining agreement violations.
“We had about 250 fire fighters from around the region to support us and to witness the vote at the CAFMA Board Meeting,” Ben Roché, President of Local 3066, said. “We could not be more appreciative of the assistance we received from the IAFF, the 10th district, and the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona, throughout this process.
“At every turn, Chief Freitag failed to protect his community and CAFMA fire fighters,” said General President Edward Kelly. “Respect is the cornerstone of a healthy labor-management relationship. His unanimous censure by delegates to the IAFF’s 57th Convention sends a strong message: conduct like Freitag’s has no place in the fire service.”
The Chino Valley and Central Yavapai fire districts merged to form CAFMA in 2016. Freitag, a past member of St. Charles, MO Local 757, and Assistant Chief of Cottleville Fire District (represented by the Professional Fire Fighters of Eastern Missouri Local 2665) was soon appointed as fire chief.
“When there’s a fight, this union stands together. When this censure came up for a vote, convention delegates voted unanimously in favor of passage,” Stephen Gilman, 10th District Vice President, said. “We hope now that this chief is gone that work environment conditions will improve under new leadership.”
When there’s a fight, this union stands together. When this censure came up for a vote, convention delegates voted unanimously in favor of passage.
10th District Vice President Stephen Gilman
When Roché returned from Boston, he learned that he was being investigated for the third time in three months for his role as a union officer. Now, being falsely accused of violating policy.
He was initially threatened with termination. However, the newly appointed interim chief, Assistant Chief of Operations John Feddema has paused actions against Roché and the other two Local 3066 members pending further review. All three are allowed to return to work.
Should disciplinary action move forward, Local 3066 is protected by the IAFF Guardian Policy.
“Our members want a workplace environment free of fear and retaliation. And they want the investigations against their fellow fire fighters to stop,” Don Jongewaard, Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona, said. “They are ready to move forward and hopes the board will now focus on putting more boots on the ground to respond to emergencies and implement more protects against cancer.”
Roché agreed.
“What we hope will happen next is a good reset, that the hostile work environment will become a thing of the past. And we look forward to starting a new, productive labor-management relationship,” he said.
