Two firefighters fired, two suspended in Salisbury FD sexual misconduct investigation | News

SALISBURY, NC (WBTV)- Two firefighters have been fired and another two suspended as a result of a sexual misconduct investigation at the Salisbury Fire Department.

The City of Salisbury started the internal investigation Tuesday morning after receiving allegations of sexual misconduct.

Late Wednesday afternoon, the City of Salisbury announced the following personnel actions:

• Tim Grisham, Engineer - Terminated
• Chet Hedrick, Fire Control Specialist II - Terminated
• Shawn McBride - Captain - Demotion to Engineer, Suspended
• Jeremy Carter - Fire Control Specialist II - Demoted to Fire Control Specialist I, suspended

Letters were given to each of the men. In them, officials detailed the reasons for the terminations and suspensions.

The letter to Tim Grisham's letter states:

• Misconduct: Sexual Activity while at work
  "Employee advised supervisor that he was involved in inappropriate conduct while at work. Employee also shared inappropriate photo with other staff members."
• Sexual Harassment
  "All employees are prohibited from any conduct that is sexually harassing or which may create an offensive work environment.

Employee admitted to supervisor and another employee that he had been involved in an inappropriate relationship."

• Misconduct: Truthfulness
  "When asked about the relationship employee was not truthful with the Fire Chief."

The letter to Grisham goes on to state previous disciplinary action was taken against him in October 2011, and at that time he was told any future disciplinary action could lead to dismissal.

The letter to Chet Hedrick states:

• Misconduct: Sexual Activity while at work
  "Employee received inappropriate pictures and shared with other staff members. This was the second incident of misconduct. The previous incident occurred in January 2011 at which time you were suspended."
• Sexual Harassment: Reporting Procedures
  "Employees are required to report information immediately to the Department Chief. Employee failed to report information he had related to a potential inappropriate relationship that could have resulted in a sexual harassment claim."
• Misconduct: Truthfulness
  "When asked about the photo you received you stated you were not sure about the identity of the person and that was why you did not inform your superiors of the situation. While interviewing another staff member later they confirmed that you shared the photo with them and knew the identity of the person in the photo."

The letter to Shawn McBride states:

• Sexual Harassment: Reporting Procedures
  "All employees are prohibited from any conduct that is sexually harassing or which may create an offensive work environment.

  Supervisor failed to report potential inappropriate activity that could have resulted in a sexual harassment claim.

  As a result, you will be demoted to Engineer with a reduction in pay. You will also be suspended for five 24-hour shifts as of November 29, 2012."

The letter to Jeremy Carter states:

• Misconduct: Sexual Activity
  "Employee received inappropriate picture and failed to report the activity of sharing the inappropriate photo at work."
• Sexual Harassment: Reporting Procedures
  "All employees are prohibited from any conduct that is sexually harassing or which may create an offensive work environment.

  Employee failed to report potential inappropriate activity that could have resulted in a sexual harassment claim.

  As a result, your position as Firefighter II will be demoted to a Firefighter I with a reduction in pay. You will also be suspended for three 24-hour shifts as of November 29, 2012."

The investigation is ongoing.

It is unclear what disciplinary action was taken against Grisham in October 2011, but WBTV has done previous stories about Chet Hedrick.

Hedrick was suspended in January 2011 after an internal investigation into misconduct at the Salisbury Fire Department. Hedrick had been with the department two years at the time.

In that same investigation, a female firefighter, a Captain, and a Battalion Chief were all terminated.

At the time, the City of Salisbury never addressed specifics of the case.

WBTV will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

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