Background checks & physicals may force out almost half the volunteer firefighters in Leonia, NJ

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Kim Lueddeke, NorthJersey.com:

A borough deadline for volunteer firefighters to undergo physicals was extended another week Monday, after two dozen members were informed they could no longer serve because they still had not handed in their medical documentation.

Members now have until next Monday to submit paperwork proving they underwent physicals, mandatory for service in the fire department under a new ordinance adopted by the Borough Council in October. Firefighters who do not do so will be suspended for two weeks, during which time they can submit their paperwork and be reinstated. If they still fail to provide the proper documentation by the end of the two-week period, they will be deemed ineligible to serve in the fire department, said Councilman Greg Makroulakis, who sits on the council’s Fire Committee.

Lucy Yang & Jennifer Matarese, WABC-TV:

Leonia council members recently passed an ordinance ordering all volunteer firefighters to get a new physical and pass a background check.

For Lt. Arnold Davenport, it isn’t that easy.  He has a marijuana offense from Rhode Island more than 18 years ago.

He says he put that on his application and for the last 16 years has been trying to help the residents of Leonia.

“After 16 years of straight service I would have hoped they have more to hold in my favor than against me,” Lt. Davenport said.

At an animated meeting Monday night, the mayor and council insisted their goal is not to fire these public servants, but to keep everyone safe.

Last summer, a firefighter’s toddler was molested at the firehouse, not by one of the volunteers, but that incident has certainly added to the tension.

Those with a criminal record like Arnold Davenport are being told to have their record expunged.