McLean names acting fire chief after Dennis Doan was put on paid administrative leave
Update, 2:26 p.m. on March 3, 2020: Boise Mayor Lauren McLean named Deputy Chief Romeo Gervais acting chief of the Boise Fire Department on Tuesday, she announced in a news release.
McLean said Gervais’ career “spans over two decades,” including his most recent position as deputy chief fire marshal for the department.
The story below was first published March 2 under the headline “Boise Fire Chief Doan put on administrative leave for ‘personnel reasons’ on Monday.”
Boise Fire Chief Dennis Doan was placed on administrative leave Monday over a “personnel issue,” according to officials.
Boise Fire Department spokeswoman Char Jackson confirmed Monday afternoon that Doan is still employed with the department and that his leave is paid. She said she did not have information as to why Doan was put on leave or who would replace him as interim chief.
Jackson also could not say who made the decision to put Doan on leave. The fire chief and all department directors serve at the will of Mayor Lauren McLean, by and with the consent of the Boise City Council.
“Though I cannot comment on the details of personnel issues, I can confirm that Chief Doan has been placed on administrative leave,” Lana Graybeal, a city spokesperson, said in a statement.
The mayor’s office did not issue a separate comment.
In July, Doan was offered a job as fire chief in Bend, Oregon, but he turned it down. He was given a raise at the time, setting his salary in Boise at $165,006. That made him Boise’s No. 2 highest-paid employee, behind only Airport Director Rebecca Hupp.
A call to Doan was not immediately returned.
Doan started his career with the Boise Fire Department in 1991, and was an original member of the Hazardous Materials Team, according to his bio on the department’s website. He became a captain in 2002 and has received several commendations, including as Boise City Firefighter of the Year in 2003.
He was President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho (PFFI) from 1999 to 2004, and Doan founded the Idaho Fallen Firefighters Foundation and was instrumental in establishing the Idaho Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
Doan became fire chief in 2008, appointed by former Mayor David Bieter.
This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 12:20 PM.
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