Anthony Clayton

The Meridian Firefighters Association sent a letter to Mayor Percy Bland Wednesday morning detailing a “Vote of No Confidence” in Fire Chief Anthony Clayton and Deputy Chief Ricky Leister.

Eighty percent of the Meridian Fire Department participated in the vote over the last week and, of those who voted, 99 percent voted no confidence in Clayton and Leister, according the firefighters association.

Reasons cited included a lack of leadership, a failure to respond to firefighter safety concerns and a lack of overall concern for the well-being of members. The Meridian Firefighters Association stated that the low retention, high turnover and minimum training created an unsafe work environment.

In a statement responding to the firefighters, Bland said, “Our Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief, former union members, rose through the ranks of the Meridian Fire Department to their current positions. They have both done a great job with the resources available to them.”

Bland mentioned the Sept. 9 accident that killed firefighter Eric Gustafson and injured firefighter David Carney and Capt. Jeff Stuart, commending how the fire chief and deputy chief handled that tragedy.

Bland also said that over the past three years firefighters in Meridian had three different pay raises despite budget challenges.

“We will continue to work with the local (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations Union) to address specific issues raised and work together to maintain a professional fire department as we work through this tragedy,” said Bland in the statement.

In a separate news release from the firefighter association president, Kyle Wilbanks, the association said that, to its knowledge, there has never been a vote of no confidence in the fire chief or deputy chief.

Fire Chief Anthony Clayton, Council President Kim Houston and Councilman George Thomas could not be reached for comments Wednesday. Deputy Chief Ricky Leister said he could not comment.

Councilman Dustin Markham said: “I can’t speak for the entire city council. As one member of the council, I think it, to some extent, confirms several previous indications of internal issues in the Meridian Fire Department.”

Markham said he thought it potentially indicated a history of miscommunication in the fire department.

“Ninety-nine percent of those that voted, voted that they had no confidence. So clearly there are concerns that need to be addressed,” Markham said.

Markham had not heard from Mayor Bland, Richie McAlister, the city’s chief administrative officer, the fire chief or the deputy chief about plans for further action.

“(The association) has vocalized a very important administrative issue,” Markham said. “Those in command within the administration need to respond and communicate to everyone, firefighters, council and citizens, how they’re going to go about rectifying this problem.”

Speaking for the association, Wilbanks declined further comment.