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Tinian mayor working with DFEMS chief to address public misconduct
In response to allegations of a department-wide misconduct at the Tinian Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Tinian Mayor Joey P. San Nicolas has consulted and requested CNMI Fire Commissioner Clyde Norita to take the lead in conducting a thorough investigation at the Tinian DFEMS and to make recommendations accordingly.
“One way to address this situation transparently and fairly is to bring in a neutral, qualified individual to conduct the investigation and to make recommendations as to what our next necessary course of action should be with regards to these allegations,” said San Nicolas.
Beginning Monday, March 27, the mayor, with the concurrence of Norita appointed Captain Jesse Mesa of Saipan DFEMS to be the acting deputy commissioner of the Tinian DFEMS. “Captain Mesa will be temporarily taking over the helm to ensure the continued delivery of services.”
The mayor has also requested the assistance of Norita to conduct an internal affairs investigation and to make recommendations on any action that is necessary and required to restore the faith and confidence of the public in the Tinian DFEMS. Norita has appointed and assigned DFEMS Internal Affairs to conduct an internal review of what has transpired within the Tinian DFEMS.
“Like the mayor, we are very concerned with what has happened at our Tinian DFEMS. Our primary concern is to ensure the continued delivery of services to the public. The mayor and I both agree that at this point, given the department wide allegations, an independent thorough review of the department is necessary,” said Norita. “I expect that adverse action will be taken against those who have taken part in violating the public’s trust. I also expect that recommendations will be forthcoming to the mayor as to how to deal with scheduling of operations so that we minimize overtime.”
“At the very least, I expect that all those who have received OT hours illegally, be required to return the funds back to the government,” said San Nicolas.
