JOPLIN, Mo. —
Three firefighters in Baxter Springs, Kan., have been fired and their chief placed on administrative leave in light of a probe into looting of businesses in Joplin the night of the May 22 tornado.
Baxter Springs Mayor Jenifer J. Bingham released a prepared statement Thursday acknowledging the firing of three unidentified firefighters on June 9. The release states that the dismissals concerned “conduct displayed during relief efforts in the aftermath” of the tornado that devastated Joplin and Duquesne.
“All information relating to the individuals and their conduct was forwarded immediately to the Joplin Police Department for further review and investigation,” Bingham said in the statement.
Her statement went on to say that “should there be any merit to any rumor regarding the wrongdoing of any city employee,” Baxter Springs would work with the Joplin Police Department to “hold those at fault to the highest form of accountability.”
The mayor declined to answer questions or to provide the names of the dismissed firefighters when she was contacted Thursday by telephone. She cited liability concerns of her own city and a criminal investigation.
“It’s a Joplin Police Department investigation,” she said.
The Globe later learned that fire Chief Les Page has been placed on indefinite administrative leave and that Art Mallory has been named acting fire chief. Page, who has served in the Baxter Springs Fire Department for about 40 years and is in his second year as chief, confirmed that he is on administrative leave. He would not say why.
“I’ve been instructed not to (comment),” Page said. “I’d like to, but I can’t.”
Mallory also declined to comment.
Lt. Mike Hobson, head of the investigations division of the Joplin Police Department, acknowledged the receipt of information this week from Baxter Springs police regarding the possible involvement of three male firefighters in thefts from Joplin businesses the night of the tornado.
“It concerns the theft of some property in the tornado zone,” Hobson said. “We’re just getting into it.”
Hobson said Baxter Springs police apparently received information earlier this month that led to an investigation there that eventually was referred to Joplin. He said the Baxter Springs Fire Department was part of the initial emergency response to the tornado. Firefighters, emergency medical technicians and law enforcement officers from several jurisdictions were involved in the response the night of the tornado.
But Hobson could not say with certainty if all three Baxter Springs firefighters were on duty at the time of the alleged offense or offenses.
“We haven’t had time to even go talk to them yet and get their side of things,” he said.
He declined to discuss which business or businesses might be involved, or what had been taken from them. He said some stolen property already may have been recovered, although he declined to say if that was by Baxter Springs police or Joplin police.
The Baxter Springs police chief could not be reached for comment Thursday. Robert Myers, city attorney for Baxter Springs, did not return a call from the Globe.
‘Too early’
LT. MIKE HOBSON of the Joplin Police Department emphasized Thursday that it was “too early” to discuss whether charges would be filed against Baxter Springs firefighters under scrutiny for their activities the night of the tornado. Hobson said no charges had been filed in Kansas or Missouri.
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