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Enid rookie firefighter loses job following public hearing
By Cass Rains Staff Writer, the Enidnews
Enid Fire Civil Service Commission voted 4-1 Monday to uphold the termination of rookie firefighter Ashlei Wilson.
The five-member board reached its decision following more than an hour in executive session and after hearing a day?s worth of testimony from Enid Fire Department leaders, firefighters and Wilson. Monday?s meeting, which Wilson requested be public, was the second day in which testimony was heard.
Details of a strip tease performed by Wilson in an Enid bar Nov. 29, Wilson?s sex life and her performance as a first-year firefighter during a yearlong probation were discussed for nearly eight hours Monday.
Wilson?s termination was based upon her actions while off duty, in violation of the EFD?s Code of Ethics, questions of her strength and stamina, and level of maturity.
?Obviously, she?s on probation for the first year and that?s when you?re supposed to do your best,? EFD Chief Phil Clover said in an interview after the meeting.
Wilson has the option of appealing the commission?s ruling in Garfield County District Court or seeking arbitration in the matter.
During testimony, City Attor-ney Carol Lahman questioned two of Wilson?s supervisors, Capts. Leonard Harvey and Mark Meir, about their concerns over Wilson?s performance and abilities.
Asked if he would have her back on his shift, Harvey said, ?Yep.?
?I don?t have any problem with having her back,? he said.
Meir said Wilson?s performance could benefit from more maturity on the 22-year-old?s behalf.
?Firefighter Wilson has done a pretty good job so far but would benefit from a little more maturity,? he said.
During her testimony, Wil-son said she had been told Clover did not want a second woman working at his department and had harassed her and singled her out for discipline based upon double standards.
She said the situation at the bar Nov. 29 was a result of her drinking, aggravated by a brain injury and medication she takes.
?I have quit drinking since,? she told the board. ?I went to a doctor, then went to Alcoholics Anonymous and saw a counselor.?
Wilson also had been reprimanded for inappropriate discussions with other firefighters and for cursing, crying and pouting while on duty.
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