Firefighters in trouble over campaign event

Erin Neff

Thursday, Feb. 25, 1999 | 11:38 a.m.

Eight Las Vegas firefighters are being investigated for possible disciplinary action for bringing city equipment to a political campaign event Tuesday night as a show of support.

Two crews from the Upland station brought an engine and a ladder truck to the opening of City Councilman Arnie Adamsen's mayoral campaign headquarters on Decatur Boulevard in violation of department, city and state laws governing political activities of public employees.

City and state ethics laws prohibit government employees from engaging in, or using city-owned equipment for, political purposes while they are on taxpayer time.

Fire Chief Mario Trevino said they would be disciplined.

"We'll just put this into the normal disciplinary process," Trevino said. "Their officers will look into the matter."

Although Trevino said the firefighters never left their district's jurisdiction, and they were monitoring the radio for calls, they should not have attended the rally during their shift.

Firefighters Local 1285, the city's firefighters union, has endorsed Adamsen for mayor.

Although city employees can campaign for whomever they choose, they cannot do it on city time or with public equipment.