WEYMOUTH, Mass. — Civil Service commissioners upheld the dismissal of a firefighter who was fired for violating a 1988 state law that prohibits public safety personnel from smoking.
Wickedlocal.com reported that Richard Morehouse, formerly with the Weymouth (Mass.) Fire Department, appealed the firing in February 2012, a month after being dismissed. Commission Chairwoman Cynthia A. Ittleman said a video showed Morehouse smoking and two medical reports confirmed he smoked tobacco while employed, according to the report.
Mayor Susan Kay said Morehouse’s dismissal is unfortunate, but that the no-smoking rule for public safety personnel is a state law that must be followed, not a town rule, according to the report.
“It is unfortunate to lose a firefighter,” she said.
“On Oct. 4, 2011, a video camera recorded Mr. Morehouse as he was smoking,” stated Ittleman. “The recording was viewed at the department’s disciplinary hearing that led to this appeal but the (fire) department was unable to produce the video recording for the commission.”
Weymouth firefighter and President of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 16116 Rick Ramponi said Morehouse was a dedicated firefighter, according to the report.
“I’m sorry his appeal did not work out for him,” Ramponi told Wickedlocal.