Oak Grove fire chief quits on eve of report

An investigator's report on the death of an 86-year-old man is to be released Friday. The chief's resignation took effect Tuesday.

By PAUL LEVY, Star Tribune

Last update: July 10, 2008 - 10:51 PM

Print this story

Follow local news on Twitter

More from North Metro

Oak Grove's fire chief resigned suddenly this week -- before today's expected release of an investigator's report of a March 5 fire that killed an 86-year-old man.

Angry firefighters from Oak Grove say indecision and delay by superiors during the fire may have cost James Verdi Blackford's life. Chief Tony Hennemann, accused for years by Oak Grove firefighters of bypassing more qualified candidates for leadership positions, was not at the March house fire. He did not return phone calls Thursday.

Assistant Chief Curt Hallerman has been named interim chief, City Administrator Chantell Knauss said Thursday. Hallerman was the commanding officer the night of the March 5 fire.

The 23-page report, which was being reviewed Thursday by a city-hired attorney, was to be delivered to City Council members Thursday evening, Knauss said. Retired Edina fire chief Ted Paulfranz conducted the investigation.

City employees were ordered on April 30 not to speak to the media until the report is released.

Hennemann had announced weeks after the fire that he planned to retire next January, which would have marked his 25th anniversary with the department.

Hennemann's retirement became effective on Tuesday, Knauss said.

Paulfranz would not comment on his report, but Knauss said that "potential personnel matters" dictated that it be reviewed by an attorney before the City Council received it. She did not say if Hennemann is mentioned in the report.

"I think he felt if there were any changes needed, it [his sudden departure] would help the city better facilitate that," Knauss said.

Candidates bypassed

In April, current and former Oak Grove firefighters told the Star Tribune that Hennemann had repeatedly bypassed the most qualified candidates for leadership positions. Hennemann defended his hiring practices, saying that a candidate's "personality has to fit the position."

Knauss said Thursday that even with Hennemann's sudden retirement, "I still think we can conduct a thorough search" for his successor. "I don't believe the process will be hindered," she said.

Two possible candidates are Hallerman and Rob Engler. It was Engler, Oak Grove firefighters have said, who ordered a backboard to transport Blackford, after the elderly man had been carried down a flight of stairs by a Ramsey firefighter.

The backboard did not arrive immediately and Blackford, who was breathing, according to the Ramsey firefighter who rescued him from an upstairs bedroom, died of smoke inhalation.

Was backboard needed?

Hallerman, the officer in charge, later told the Star Tribune, "I don't think they called for a backboard or anything. I would see no purpose to ask for a board."

The fire was started by a 7-year-old who was playing with a charcoal-grill starter, according to the state fire marshal.

Paul Levy • 612-673-4419

Recent North Metro stories

Deer leaves Anoka office a bloody mess - July 10, 2008

Deer leaves Anoka office a bloody mess - A confused deer smashed through a window at the Anoka County public defender's office in downtown Anoka on Saturday morning, thrashed around and smashed out another window leaving a blood-spattered office behind, Anoka police reported. More