Washington Examiner
BETHESDA, Md. — The Bethesda Fire Department has agreed to pay $259,000 to a former deputy fire chief who was fired after publicly criticizing Montgomery County’s ability to respond to a chemical or biological attack, according to the ex-official’s lawyer.
Shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, former Deputy Fire Chief Lewis German told media outlets that the 150 biochemical protective suits the county had acquired through $500,000 in federal funds were practically useless. German complained that the suits weren’t widely distributed at county fire stations and hadn’t been tested on a regular basis to make sure they worked properly.
After former County Executive Doug Duncan held a news conference saying German had made the remarks for personal gain, German sent an e-mail to other firefighters saying that no one “wanted Mr. Duncan’s job or his wife,” according to court records.
Full Story: Dismissed deputy fire chief wins settlement in free-speech case