Pittsfield Township deputy fire director resigns amid investigation
Pittsfield Township's deputy director of fire services abruptly resigned on Tuesday amid an internal investigation, officials confirmed today.
The nature of the investigation involving Al D'Agostino wasn't released, but Pittsfield Public Safety Director Matt Harshberger said it was not criminal. He said the investigation centered on a "situation" at a fire scene on Oct. 29, but he would not provide specifics.
Al D'Agostino
D'Agostino, who had been the deputy fire director since 2004, could not be reached for comment today. He had been placed on administrative leave last week pending the investigation into his conduct.
The Oct. 29 fire occurred on Woodland Hills Drive; no one was injured.
"Prior to completing the investigation, the deputy director resigned, and it's not necessary to complete the investigation at this point," Harshberger said. "We thank him for his years of service to the department, and wish him well in his future endeavors."
D'Agostino joined the department in 1981 and became a lieutenant in 1985. As deputy director, he headed a fire department that covers 27.5 square miles and has three stations. The department includes 24 full-time personnel and five paid on-call firefighters.
Fire Cmdr. Sean Gleason will oversee the fire department until a determination is made on whether the deputy director position will be filled, Harshberger said. He said the deputy director position will remain vacant while officials discuss their options and look at the department's budget.
Comments
Tim
Tue, Dec 28, 2010 : 11:26 a.m.
I know Al and he is an upstanding Fire Chief. I don't know what the complaint was and don't care to. At this point in a career when you had enough you had enough. I understand that. So now that I am retired I can tell all of you that know nothing about public service to take a hike and be thankful you had a dedicated leader for the time you had. You taxpayers got a deal.
Wordbird
Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 2:12 p.m.
Bradley, and AACity 12, I must agree with you on this one. If it was an issue that was our business the information would have already been put out there. It obviously wasn't an issue for public knowledge, and therefore the Department has conducted their own internal investigation to rectify the situation. Somewhere people have forgotten that the Fire Fighters in any community are what keep you and your family safe. They give up being with our their own families on Holidays, nights, weekends just ensure the safety of yours, at a moments notice. Whether they believe they contribute to his paycheck,or any other Public Safety personnel, directly or indirectly is not the point. They obviously feel the need to validate their point in an attempt to pressure those involved to get more information. It is appalling that they feel the need to publicly smear the name and career of veteran Fire Fighter just for their own self gratification.
AACity12
Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 1:39 p.m.
Whatever happened to investigative journalism? Maybe if AA.com hadn't slammed fire fighters evey chance it had they would have a source that could tell them what happened.
jim roberts
Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 11:43 a.m.
Very strange that a public official with so much time invested in a career could walk away from it due to an investigation where no firefighters were injured. Must have been a horrible act committed by him to just walk away less than 2 months later. Was he sabotaged by his own employees and this was his way to get out of the cross hairs to come back with a legal defense? Very interesting.
Bradley Pearsall
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 1:41 p.m.
If it was an issue that was our business the information would have been put out there. It obviously wasn't an issue that put anyone in danger or it would be out there already either by the press, the public safety dept or by witnesses. The few cents that you paid towards Al's salary each month does not give you any rights to know what an internal investigation was about. It was just that, an internal investigation. Get a grip cinnabar and greenpus (whats with that handle anyway?)
yourdad
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 1 p.m.
Whoa... if this is not a criminal investigation, doesn't he have the right to resign without bloggers (most of whom don't pay towards his salary) knowing everylast detail? Cinnabar??? Do you live in Pittsfield? I don't, and am curious, but this man served the community for 29 years. I would think that an investigation that leads to a resignation would take longer than a month to chase or push out a 29 year firefighter.
GreenPus
Wed, Dec 22, 2010 : 9:24 p.m.
I agree with cinnabar7071 100%. The taxpayers have a right to know what this is about.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Dec 22, 2010 : 7:27 p.m.
I hate paying somebodys wages then when something happens I'm left out of the loop. When we the people pay your wages you need to understand whats going on is our business and if you continue to keep us from our business we'll fire you too.