Former Lexington Fire Chief Robert Hendricks will transfer to a firefighter/paramedic position within the Division of Fire and Emergency Services and return to active duty on Tuesday, June 26.
“The city is required to comply with complex federal employment law. In addition, there are state laws that limit our authority concerning the position of fire chief. On the advice of our attorneys, we have offered him this position and he has accepted,” said Susan Straub, spokeswoman for Mayor Jim Gray.
After exhausting his accumulated paid leave time, city officials say Hendricks has been on unpaid leave since September. His annual salary as chief was $148,379.
Doctors cleared Hendricks for firefighter /paramedic duty. His salary will be $36,312 annually.
In March 2011, Mayor Gray named Keith Jackson, a 20-year veteran of the Division of Fire and Emergency Services, Interim Chief. Since then, city officials say Jackson has addressed many issues, including managing the division’s staffing and budget.
