HAVERHILL — The public can expect to hear from at least one Haverhill firefighter implicated in the statewide EMT recertification scandal.
Jeffrey Given, the suspected architect of the scheme in which 30 Haverhill firefighters are accused of falsifying emergency medical training records, has asked for a local civil service hearing before Mayor James Fiorentini acts on a recommendation from fire Chief Richard Borden to fire him.
Under civil service rules, the hearing is closed to the public and media unless either party files a written request that it be opened. Fiorentini said the hearing will be open.
"This is a matter of heightened public interest and the public has a right to know," the mayor said.
Given is accused of collecting money from and obtaining the signatures of colleagues who were then recertified as emergency medical technicians without undergoing the required training.
According to authorities, he collected money and sample signatures of his EMT colleagues and passed them on to another person, who would then provide the recertifications.
Fiorentini has appointed city lawyer David Grunebaum to hear Given's appeal Monday. The hearing is at 11 a.m. in Room 301 of City Hall.
The mayor will decide Given's fate after the hearing. Given has the right to contest any decision Fiorentini makes by filing for binding arbitration or appealing to the state Civil Service Commission in Boston. His last recourse would be District Court.
Given also has appealed a five-day unpaid suspension ordered by the fire chief two weeks ago. The suspension also will be taken up at the hearing.
The Haverhill firefighters are among 207 statewide who have been suspended from working as EMTs by the state.
As for the 29 other Haverhill firefighters, the mayor said he intends to take disciplinary action against the men as soon as police Chief Alan DeNaro completes his investigation into the matter, which the mayor said is expected any day now. He has said "discharge from employment" is an option.
Fiorentini has said the state attorney general's office has asked cities and towns to take "uniform action" against their employees implicated in the EMT scandal. In all, 12 municipalities and 10 private ambulance companies, including Trinity EMS in Haverhill, have been affected.
The state agency is conducting its own investigation into the matter for possible criminal action against the suspended EMTs.
EMTs are required to take refresher courses once every two years. The courses cover basic skills and new procedures. In Haverhill, firefighters receive an extra $1,500 per year if they are EMTs.
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