Brentwood Fire Department Paid Thousands in Unworked Overtime

Michael Calhoun

July 19, 2011 4:00 AM

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Local News, News, Politics, Syndicated Local

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BRENTWOOD (KMOX) – A mid-county fire chief is retiring, after the revelation that firefighters were paid $12 thousand a year in unworked overtime.

Chief Bob Niemeyer readily admits it, and says the practice began 24 years ago.

“We were sending out our equipment for repairs and it was costing us too much money,” he explained. “My bosses finally said to me, after I’d been chief for five years, that this would need to stop and we would need to work up a new program.”

So, since 1987, firefighters have spent the occasional day off being taught how to fix broken equipment and putting that training to use. They were always paid for ten hours of overtime, but usually put in about seven.

Chief Niemeyer said Brentwood city leaders have always known about the arrangement, something they dispute.

“There’s nothing at all wrong with this. I firmly believe I did nothing wrong,” Niemeyer told KMOX’s Mark Reardon, while extolling the bravery and commitment of his firefighters.

Their union has agreed to forgo raises to help pay back the cash.

http://pearsonprophoto.com/east-brentwood-fire-department-pictures East brentwood fire department pictures

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Andy Herrmann

forego their pay raise to make up for tens of thousands of dollars!! What a good deal. There is no difference between these firemen thieves that criminals who use a gun to stick up a convenience store. There should be felony charges brought up to all and they should have to pay the money back. Sell their house or car or borrow the money or steal it from someone else but the money needs to be paid back!!