Greenslait's Firefighter II Certification 'Inactive' - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Back in May, News 13 told you about an investigation into Freeport Fire chief Ben Greenslait's credentials. Monday, the findings of that investigation came in.

According to the Bureau of Fire Standards, chief Greenslait does NOT have a Firefighter II certification, meaning he's not authorized to perform some of his duties as chief.

Freeport Mayor Mickey Marse was almost at a loss for words Monday night, after he found out his fire chief was lacking official certification. However, he says he saw it coming.

"I really wasn't surprised, I was waiting on it to come because the investigators came and talked to me," Mayor Marse said.

In a letter to the mayor those investigators concluded that Greenslait's firefighter II certification was inactive, due to him leaving the field for more than 3 years before he became chief. It went on to say that he must refrain from conducting these activities until he's in compliance.

"He can still be a chief, he just can't go on a fire scene," Mayor Marse explained. "He can do his day to day operations."

Former Freeport fire chief Wayne Charles says he was just trying to do the right thing when he filed the original complaint against Greenslait earlier this year

"I've been accused of doing this for the county so the county can take the fire department over, I've been accused of doing this because of an incident at a local car club function," Charles said.

Mayor Marse says Charles's pursuit of the case may have something to do with that incident at the car club function

"Everybody got uptight because the fire chief was taking over their show," Mayor Marse said. "Evidently Wayne Charles and his bunch decided they need to do something."

Both men are on drastically opposite ends when it comes to the future of the chief.

"I think we can handle it, just another road bump," Mayor Marse said.

"I hope the city council will see fit to relieve him of his duties," Charles said.

Greenslait could not be reached for comment. In order to get that certification, the chief would have to undergo a physical test. The Freeport city council will discuss the future of the chief Tuesday at 6pm at city hall.