captstanm1
08-28-2002, 10:39 AM
Wednesday, August 28, 2002
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Flagler Beach fire chief suspended for drug use
By DANIEL LATHROP (daniel.lathrop@news-jrnl.com)
Staff Writer
FLAGLER BEACH -- The city's fire chief has been suspended for two weeks after testing positive for marijuana use.
Chief Rob Creal was suspended Friday until Sept. 9 by City Manager City Manager Nancy Ciummo after city officials were informed of the results of the drug test. On Tuesday, he said he smoked marijuana but said it was a moment of weakness.
"I just hope that everybody understands that I made a huge mistake and there's not much I can do it about it now," Creal said.
Creal, 51, confirmed he has smoked marijuana "intermittently" in the past, but said he has never used the illegal drug while on duty. He said his days of drug use are now over for good.
"I made a real big mistake and I learned my lesson and I'm not going to do it any more," Creal said in a phone interview Tuesday. "I don't know what else I can say."
According to a memo released by the city, Creal must have a clean drug test before he can return to work.
"Due to the emergency response nature of your job, we feel it is in the best interest of public safety for you not to report to work until we have the negative test results confirmation," Ciummo said in the memo to Creal.
Creal said he would have made the same decision if it had been one of his firefighters, and that he hoped to return to work after serving his suspension. According to Creal, the marijuana use happened during a vacation in July and early August.
"I was on vacation. I was upset about some stuff. I made a big mistake," he said. "I know better. It just happened. I don't know what to say."
While Creal is generally well-liked in the town of about 5,000, some were critical of his conduct.
"Drugs and firefighting don't mix. This is something that everyone knows in this day and age is that drug testing is part of our system," said retired Detroit firefighter Ed Kuhnlein, a former city commissioner. Kuhnlein now serves as a volunteer city fire police officer with the department.
Ciummo declined to comment on why Creal was asked to take a drug test, citing a police investigation. Police Chief Mike Plummer said only that police are pursuing an investigation related to the city's Fire Department.
Creal earns $41,122 annually. The city has two other paid firefighters, including an assistant chief who heads the department in Creal's absence.
Creal has been a member of the volunteer fire department since 1972 and served as chief since 1976.
In 1989, the position became paid, and Creal was added to the city's payroll. In April 2000, he briefly served as interim city manager during the city's search to replace former City Manager Greg Mashank.
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Flagler Beach fire chief suspended for drug use
By DANIEL LATHROP (daniel.lathrop@news-jrnl.com)
Staff Writer
FLAGLER BEACH -- The city's fire chief has been suspended for two weeks after testing positive for marijuana use.
Chief Rob Creal was suspended Friday until Sept. 9 by City Manager City Manager Nancy Ciummo after city officials were informed of the results of the drug test. On Tuesday, he said he smoked marijuana but said it was a moment of weakness.
"I just hope that everybody understands that I made a huge mistake and there's not much I can do it about it now," Creal said.
Creal, 51, confirmed he has smoked marijuana "intermittently" in the past, but said he has never used the illegal drug while on duty. He said his days of drug use are now over for good.
"I made a real big mistake and I learned my lesson and I'm not going to do it any more," Creal said in a phone interview Tuesday. "I don't know what else I can say."
According to a memo released by the city, Creal must have a clean drug test before he can return to work.
"Due to the emergency response nature of your job, we feel it is in the best interest of public safety for you not to report to work until we have the negative test results confirmation," Ciummo said in the memo to Creal.
Creal said he would have made the same decision if it had been one of his firefighters, and that he hoped to return to work after serving his suspension. According to Creal, the marijuana use happened during a vacation in July and early August.
"I was on vacation. I was upset about some stuff. I made a big mistake," he said. "I know better. It just happened. I don't know what to say."
While Creal is generally well-liked in the town of about 5,000, some were critical of his conduct.
"Drugs and firefighting don't mix. This is something that everyone knows in this day and age is that drug testing is part of our system," said retired Detroit firefighter Ed Kuhnlein, a former city commissioner. Kuhnlein now serves as a volunteer city fire police officer with the department.
Ciummo declined to comment on why Creal was asked to take a drug test, citing a police investigation. Police Chief Mike Plummer said only that police are pursuing an investigation related to the city's Fire Department.
Creal earns $41,122 annually. The city has two other paid firefighters, including an assistant chief who heads the department in Creal's absence.
Creal has been a member of the volunteer fire department since 1972 and served as chief since 1976.
In 1989, the position became paid, and Creal was added to the city's payroll. In April 2000, he briefly served as interim city manager during the city's search to replace former City Manager Greg Mashank.