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The Memphis Fire Department's deputy director is out and an interim chief
has been named to run the agency until its top two positions are filled.
Mayor Willie Herenton's office announced Friday that Claude Talford would
no longer be the department's deputy director of fire services. Talford, a
24-year veteran, was up for reappointment, but Herenton chose not to do so
in a letter dated Friday.
Talford said Friday that E-mails in which he made statements that might
appear to be racially negative about the mayor's nominee for director had
nothing to do with losing his position.
Earlier this month, Talford exchanged several E-mails with Reginald Davis,
president of Progressive Black Firefighters of Memphis.
"I do not want to be part of any organization where you're suppose (sic)
to represent the African American members but chose to follow a Caucasian
male," Talford wrote in a Jan. 5 E-mail.
In an E-mailed response, Davis - who is black - accused Talford of playing
mind games to manipulate black firefighters.
"Just because your white friend has been appointed Director doesn't give
you right (sic) to talk to me like the idiot you are," Talford wrote.
Talford said Friday his words weren't meant to be derogatory toward Jerry
Crawford, Herenton's nominee for director.
Talford is black; Crawford is white.
He said he was trying to get Davis to be up front with him about another
subject.
"I was trying to push his buttons and get the truth out of him," Talford
said.
Davis couldn't be reached for comment Friday.
Friday, the mayor named John Looney Jr. chief of administrative services
until a director and deputy director for fire services are named.
Looney is a 34-year department veteran and most recently worked as chief
of training.
"It's a crazy time," Looney said. "My job is to bring some stability back
where it's been a little fragmented. To get rid of some of the
divisiveness created by this political turmoil."
Friday evening, some 900 people had signed a petition on
Memphisfire.net, an unofficial fire
department Web site.
The petition asks Herenton and the city council to forgo a national search
and name Crawford director.
Crawford's residency in Fayette County was one reason the 26-year MFD
veteran wasn't appointed earlier this month, council members said.
Crawford and three other of the mayor's nominees for top administrative
posts were struck down by the council.
Crawford got stuck in a political mud hole, said firefighter Lt. Tony
Redwine.
"They had it out for him as soon as he walked in there," he said. "For the
city council to say he's not worthy, for anybody to say that is bull."
Firefighters made up more than half of those who signed the petition.
"It's pretty obvious their morale in the last few years has been in the
dumps," said Councilman Jack Sammons.
Crawford could still be appointed, Sammons said, but it's not likely to
happen until a national search is done.
Firefighters Association president Terry Oldham said the 1,800 people
working for the MFD are forging ahead. They might not have a leader, but
Memphis can still count on them.
"If they call on the Memphis Fire Department, we are going to be there."
- Sherri Drake: 529-2510
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