Trouble has been as familiar a part of William Moran's career as his commitment to fighting fires.
Holyoke acting Fire Chief William P. MoranHOLYOKE – Provisional Fire Chief William P. Moran has been placed on paid administrative leave effective immediately, a press release from the mayor’s office said Wednesday.
The step is pending “an internal investigation by the Fire Commission due to an incident at the Holyoke Fire Department,” the press release said.
Moran, a 27-year veteran, has been no stranger to trouble in his career that included a demotion from deputy chief to captain a few years ago. An agreement between the city and Moran’s lawyer later rescinded the demotion.
Reached at home, Moran said he was unable to discuss his latest problem.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss this. I have no comment,” Moran said.
The annual salary of a deputy chief is $68,775. The additional pay that comes with being provisional chief was unclear, but the budgeted amount for the chief’s salary is $95,873.
Fire Commission Chairwoman Priscilla F. Chesky and City Solicitor Lisa A. Ball couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
Moran is among what officials have expected will be a 16-candidate field for the permanent position of fire chief, expected to be chosen in August.
Moran has been provisional fire chief since mid-September. As the most senior deputy chief, William Moran became provisional chief after the sudden retirement of the former provisional chief, William F. Kane.
Kane had held the job since the Jan. 4, 2010 retirement of former Chief David A. LaFond, who had been chief for 15 years.