By Gretyl Macalaster

Candia Fire Chief Rudy Cartier submitted a request for a leave of absence from the department on Friday, Oct. 9, after the release of a report issued by the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office that criticized his leadership abilities.

Selectmen granted the request the same day.

Although selectmen were not prepared to discuss the situation, residents at their meeting on Monday, Oct. 13, had questions.

Cartier also made a statement, and released a five-page “initial response” letter to a summary report issued by Rockingham County Attorney Jim Reams, following an investigation into the Candia Volunteer Fire Department.

The investigation was conducted at the behest of the County Attorney’s Office following investigations of several arsons in town.

In his summary, Reams wrote that “evidence suggests that the public is placed in danger by the lack of leadership of the Candia Volunteer Fire Department and the conduct

of the department.”

On Oct. 9, selectmen met to discuss the information and accepted a request for a leave of absence from Cartier. Cartier said he chose to take a leave of absence in order to review the information, handle a response and to help protect the reputation of his department.

“We have built a phenomenal cadre of people at the fire department,” Cartier said. “I don’t want them hurt. I want them to be coming out of this holding their heads high.”

Some residents at the meeting asked why Cartier wasn’t given a chance to respond before the board took action.

Cartier said in his letter that he was never given the opportunity to review and respond to the allegations and was put at a severe disadvantage to provide a balanced response as no documentation was available to him prior to the letter being released to the news media and the scheduling of a disciplinary hearing by the board.

“He has been asked to submit a request for a leave of absence, he is turning in all his property right here ... in my mind, it is like getting fired without a real good explanation for it,” resident Boyd Chivers said. “I don’t think anybody in this audience is satisfied that this has been handled properly.”

As part of the agreement Cartier reached with the town’s attorney, and which was approved by the board of selectmen, Cartier had to turn in all equipment and files to the town and is not allowed at the Fire Department.

In his letter, Cartier refutes many of the items of concern noted in the report from Reams.

Among the items was the lack of trust fire chiefs in surrounding towns have in Cartier’s command.

Cartier said he spoke with the fire chiefs of Deerfield and Raymond who informed him that they did not state this. He said he attempted to contact the Auburn Fire Chief, but his call was not returned.

Cartier also refuted a statement in the report that he is not responsive to safety concerns voiced by other chiefs.

“I have always been open to constructive criticism and take safety seriously. The issues that have been brought to my attention have always been taken seriously and action taken,” Cartier wrote in his response.

Cartier also responded to concerns in the report regarding the conduct of other firefighters in the department.

“I am at a loss as to how I can be held responsible for the actions of any town employee when they are on their own time, in their own vehicles and, in the instance of the Langford Road incident, at their own residence. I know we should always present ourselves as being ‘model citizens’, but I fail to see how off duty firefighters not adhering to this expectation is my fault,” Cartier wrote.

Cartier has been chief for the past five years and has been a firefighter for 26 years. He is also a trained fire instructor, he said.

“Rudy is an excellent chief who treats people with respect and sincerity even if they don’t agree,” resident Amanda Soares said in a post to the Union Leader Web site. “I have worked with Rudy on many town committees and have a great respect for his position and the workload he takes on for himself for the town and the fire department.”

Selectmen Chairman Fred Kelley said after Cartier has a chance to review all of the information, and confer with town counsel, it will be his decision if he wants to bring the matter back before a public meeting.

The board said it is also reviewing the information.