Hayward Fire Chief Suspended For Drinking While On Call
HAYWARD (CBS/AP) — The Hayward fire chief was suspended but allowed to continue with his job after a number of behavioral issues that include drinking while on call.
The San Mateo County Times reports that a city investigation found that 41-year-old Chief Garrett Contreras also started a scuffle with a subordinate, drove city vehicles after drinking and did not answer calls to supervise firefighting efforts.
He is a 20-year veteran of the department and oversees 118 firefighters and a $35 million budget.
Public records show that Contreras was suspended for a month and had his salary reduced. But the city manager allowed him to keep his job it he agreed to certain conditions, including not drinking at city functions.
Contreras told the San Mateo County Times recently that he's embarrassed but admits to the mistakes.
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