Amador County – The Amador County 2008-09 Grand Jury released a damning report Tuesday outlining the results of an investigation into alleged misconduct by Jackson Valley Fire Chief Thom Reed. The investigation came after a number of witnesses and JVFPD volunteers reported Reed responded to calls and endangered others by performing his duties under the influence of alcohol. Through the process of the investigation, 25 individuals from local emergency response districts were subpoenaed, sworn in and interviewed over the course of four days. The report find that “78 percent of witnesses were aware of the JVFPD Chief being under the influence of alcohol while attempting to perform his duties” and the knowledge of his intoxication “was widespread.” Witnesses testified to being threatened by Reed after confronting him about consuming alcohol on the job. Among the myriad of other violations, the Grand Jury found there had been no Operations and Procedure Policy in place for the JVFPD since at least 1992; the JVFPD “took no action after receiving a complaint concerning the consumption of alcohol by the individual in question while on calls”; “neighboring emergency service departments took no action after receiving complaints concerning the consumption of alcohol”; and the Jackson Valley Board of Directors “is in violation of the Brown Act.” Testimony revealed that on at least one occasion, witnesses requested Reed “stop providing medical aid to an accident victim” because of his level of intoxication. Perhaps the most pejorative conclusion of the Grand Jury was that Reed, as well as the Chief and Captain of the Ione Fire Department, Operations Manager of American Legion Ambulance Service, Assistant Fire Chief of the Jackson Valley Fire Protection District and the Chairperson for the Jackson Valley Board of Directors gave “false, misleading, or inconsistent testimony.” The report finds that the “Fire Chief for the City of Ione, the Chairperson for the JVBD, a Battalion Chief for Cal Fire, and a Supervisor for the American Legion Ambulance had the knowledge, and the power, to correct this issue and preserve the public safety. It was determined that they turned their back on their responsibility to the safety of the public.” It goes on to say “the individuals without the immediate power to correct the problem were the ones who eventually brought the problem to the attention of the Amador County Grand Jury.” The Grand Jury found Reed in contempt of court by openly and defiantly” discussing “his testimony (before the Grand Jury)”and trying “to ascertain the testimony of others,” as well as requesting “that the Ione Fire Department discontinue mutual aid within the JVFPD” subsequent to the Grand Jury hearing. The report recommends that Reed and the Chairman of the Jackson Valley Board of Directors be removed from office. The Jackson Valley Fire Protection District is a special district staffed by volunteers, and governed by the Jackson Valley Board of Directors. The JVFPD responds to calls involving fires, medical emergencies, and traffic collisions. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.