The Fire Merit Commission has reduced a minor disciplinary infraction against Evansville Firefighter and City Councilman Al Lindsey for speaking to the news media without prior approval from the fire department’s public information officer.
Lindsey’s attorney Scott Danks says Lindsey gave an interview to a local TV station in October about a new health physicals program for firefighters advocated by Chief Mike Connelly.
Lindsey initially received a written reprimand for doing the interview. He appealed and the punishment was reduced to a verbal reprimand.
Danks tells the Courier and Press the difference between the two is a firefighter may be terminated after a certain number of written reprimands.
Lindsey expressed concern in the TV interview about a lack of physical fitness equipment in the city’s fire stations.
Chief Connelly says he agrees with Lindsey that some of the city’s stations don’t have equipment they need, or sufficient space for the equipment, and he’s applied for grants to address the situation.
Older fire stations have few amenities beyond a kitchen and living area.