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Mayor backs new fire chief in hiring list flap

The mayor says he is in support of the current fire chief, who plans to scrap a hire list for prospective firefighters which was created in 2011. Mayor Christian Provenzano said it is the fire chief’s prerogative to set hiring practices.

The mayor says he is in support of the current fire chief, who plans to scrap a hire list for prospective firefighters which was created in 2011.

Mayor Christian Provenzano said it is the fire chief’s prerogative to set hiring practices.

“I would not involve myself in hiring fire services any more than I would hiring in police services. It is not council’s responsibility to administer hiring policies or practices. It is entirely management’s responsibility,” said Mayor Provenzano.

Former Fire Chief Marcel Provenzano — who is not directly related to mayor — said to SooToday yesterday he is appalled at the actions of current Fire Chief Mike Figliola in scrapping the list.

Fire Chief Provenzano noted many of the prospective hires on the list have ties to the community and are involved in charities through the local firefighter association and many volunteer in surrounding communities, such as Prince and Aweres Townships.

Mayor Provenzano said it was unrealistic to expect job promises to continue under fire Chief Mike Figliola’s watch.

“The outgoing fire chief has no ability or authority to promise jobs that arrive after he is no longer the fire chief. Fire Chief Provenzano retired. He is in no position whatsoever to promise anybody a job. He should not have, if he in fact did,” said the mayor.

Chief Figliola declined an opportunity to comment to SooToday.

Mayor Provenzano noted the former fire chief was involved in hiring Figliola.

“Prior to me becoming mayor, there was a hiring process for fire chief — which the former fire chief participated in — resulted in the current fire chief being hired,” he said.

“(Figliola) was the fire chief the day I showed up. My experience with him is he is a very committed, earnest fire chief who cares about doing his job well. He is doing that. He is exercising his discretion and his authority and I don’t believe council or I have a role to play in the hiring of firefighters or policemen, for that matter,” said the mayor.

Previous SooToday coverage of this story:

'I am appalled at the actions of the new fire chief,' says old fire chief

(FILE PHOTO: Christian Provenzano  — then chief of staff to the leader of the federal Liberal party — speaks during a policy announcement at Prince Township Volunteer Fire Department on May 3, 2010. Courtesy Kenneth Armstrong)


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