Astoria's Deputy Fire Chief resigned Wednesday

Interim Fire Chief Pete Curzon announced Wednesday afternoon that Deputy Fire Chief Steve Straily had resigned. An internal investigation conducted by Deputy Police Chief Brad Johnson was directed by the Chief of Police Curzon, who also is acting as the Interim Fire Chief. Curzon directed the investigation with City Manager Paul Benoit’s concurrence because of rumors that Straily falsely claimed qualifications he did not possess, and due to other matters also the subject of the current inquiry. The investigation involves other matters which Chief Curzon declined to describe at this time.
The investigation, which is not complete and which does not include an interview of Straily, established clearly in Chief Curzon’s opinion that Straily made false claims two years ago in his application to become Astoria’s Deputy Fire Chief. Johnston’s investigative audit of training records at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, the licensing agency for public safety professionals, revealed that Straily forged a signature on a certificate of training and falsified other training information falsely claiming qualifications he did not possess. The investigation addresses other matters which Straily denied in a meeting that led to his voluntary resignation.
Curzon announced in meetings with the members of the Astoria Fire Department the appointment of three Astoria firefighters to acting positions. Curzon said he is confident in the professionalism of the career fire officers, firefighters and volunteers serving in the City Fire Department and that public safety services will in no way be diminished by Straily’s actions. .
Chief Curzon stated that the information discovered during Johnston’s investigation was extremely disappointing to everyone both professionally and personally. Curzon stated however that nothing can diminish the seriousness of official misconduct in public service, especially at the command and leadership level where trust, integrity and competency are critical. Straily’s decision was in the best interest of the fire service, the Astoria Fire Department and himself, Curzon said.
No further information will be released at this time.