Report: Thompsonville Fire Commissioner Says Chief's Suspension Is Too Harsh

The four-week suspension of Thompsonville Fire Chief Francis Alaimo was too harsh, so says a fire district commissioner.

Commissioner Bob Gillespie told The Courant Thursday he thought “Alaimo should be reprimanded for his lack of communication with the board, but that a four-week suspension was too long. He said he recommended a two-week suspension instead, but the other commissioners disagreed.”

On Wednesday, the commissioners voted 5-0 to suspend Alaimo and have Assistant Chief Bill Provencher assume the chief’s duties for the month. The suspension comes on the heels of the Dec. 10 fire that killed four residents of a South River Street duplex and left five others homeless. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by state and local officials.

The Courant story can be found here.