Until recently, Athens city officials were unaware of Fire Chief Robert Troxel's job at the Ohio Office of Homeland Security, said Ray Hazlett, the city's assistant service safety director.
Troxel is taking six weeks of vacation and recently obtained a full-time job at the Office of Infrastructure Protection, city officials said.
Captain Kenneth Gilbraith was named interim chief for the duration of Troxel's absence.
Normally when the chief goes on vacation
I'm put in charge as captain but I've never had to change my schedule to accommodate taking charge of the fire station before, Gilbraith said.
Troxel, who has been with the Athens Fire Department for nearly 33 years, has more than six weeks of vacation time accumulated.
There's lots of rumor and speculation regarding Troxel's absence, Hazlett said, adding that the city is currently operating under the assumption that Troxel will return March 6 when his vacation ends.
There's been no announcement of his retirement so we're just waiting for him to come back from vacation
Gilbraith said.
The city has received no information from Troxel to suggest he will retire as fire chief this year, Hazlett said, adding that city employees are not required to tell officials what they plan to do with their vacation time.
If Troxel chooses to retire, Gilbraith said he plans to apply for the job, but cautioned that the chief has not announced any plans for retirement.
- Elyse Ball
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Elyse Ball
