Saratoga Springs firefighters vote no confidence in chief

Saratoga Springs firefighters are calling for the removal of the chief. Their union, the Saratoga Springs Professional Fire Fighters Association, issued a vote of no confidence in Chief Joseph Dolan.

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A statement from the union said Dolan has in recent years repeatedly failed to act in the interest of safety for firefighters and the community.

“Our members’ concerns are not focused on a single incident – and its determination to take this significant step are based on the totality of decisions and actions that we believe are compromising the safety of our community, those who serve it and our collective confidence in Chief Dolan,” said Joseph Brimhall, president of the union.

Dolan’s reaction to the November downtown shootout is among the factors the union cited. Eleven firefighters responded to the chaotic scene, where three people were wounded. The union says the experience was traumatic for its members, but that the chief only showed “casual concern” for those under his command.

The chief has been on paid administrative leave since February, accused of double-dipping. The city accuses him of working for two departments at the same time.

Dolan has been with the department for 25 years.