UCFD

University City firefighters suspended for political involvement 

Five University City firefighters were told Wednesday afternoon they were suspended for the next three months without pay for violating a statute that forbids first responders from being involved with political campaigns while in uniform or on duty. It's unclear if a sixth firefighter, who also posed in pictures with City Council candidates, will be suspended. City Manager Lehman Walker told the firefighters after the April 8 municipal elections that they were being investigated. Depending on what was found, he said disciplinary action ranged from verbal reprimand to dismissal. Though they can keep their jobs, the firefighters were angry about the suspensions. Walker informed them of the decision in short meetings Wednesday. "These are mothers and fathers who are going to have to try to figure out how to feed their families without a source of income," said Kurt Becker, an attorney representing Fire Fighters Local 2665.