According to an interim Grand Jury Report issued last week, the Calaveras County Grand Jury received two citizen complaints against the Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District Board and the Mokelumne Hill Fire Chief.
The alleged violations were: An alleged witness of a fellow firefighter responding to a call who was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, was later suspended in closed session without public notice (Brown Act) and without a quorum; and then reinstated without a meeting, and with no votes recorded.
The International Fire Chiefs Association has a "zero tolerance" and "stand down" policy regarding alcohol. OSHA was notified.
Then it was alleged that later the meeting tape was played accidentally and the firefighters name was disclosed.
In addition it was alleged that construction of a second floor dormitory had no permits, no sprinklers were installed and it is not ADA accessible.
An onsite inspection by OSHA was made due to no response from the Board in 14 days of the complaint. At that time many safety issues were criticized by the state.
The Grand Jury reported that there were several violations of the Brown Act, that there was NO VOTE for either suspension or reinstatement of firefighter, there were two different agendas for a closed session, that a recording of closed session was played in public, and that details and subject of a closed session were disclosed.
The Grand Jury also found that "zero tolerance" and "Stand down" procedures are not always enforced and that a breathalyzer test should be administered.
In addition, OSHA cited the district for several violations when they did their onsite inspection.
The County of Calaveras finally did issue a buildingpermit, but only storage is allowed in the upstairs of the firehouse, no dormitory.
The Grand Jury ended their report by praising the good things the Fire District has done.
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