Pubdate: Wed, 09 Feb 2005
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2005 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Andrew Ryan, and Georgia East, Staff Writers
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n217/a06.html

6 MORE MIRAMAR FIREFIGHTERS SUSPENDED IN GROWING DRUG SCANDAL

MIRAMAR -- After suspending six more firefighters in connection with a
growing scandal over drug use on the force, Chief James Hunt on
Tuesday moved to reassure both the public and his own troops.

Although a city fire lieutenant and captain were charged last week
with possessing Ecstasy, cocaine and other drugs, "citizens can rest
assured that the firefighters that come out to them are the most
competent and ready to provide excellent service," Hunt said. "All the
members of the department are equally shocked by the allegations and
the arrest of two people."

Agents of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration allege Lt. Carey
Kovacs, 29, gave drugs to other firefighters at parties. Kovacs and
Capt. Valentin Srbovan, 37, who federal agents say had 20 Ecstasy
pills in his home, were suspended with pay and are free on bond.

Hunt, who spent Tuesday at the city's four firehouses answering
questions from his rank-and-file, suspended six more firefighters with
pay over the weekend. He did not identify them by name or rank.

At Hunt's request, the city's Personnel Department refused a public
records request by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel seeking the names of
the suspended firefighters. A department spokesman did not provide, as
required by state law, a statute specifying why the names were not
public record.

Hunt said he does not anticipate more arrests or suspensions and added
that none of the alleged drug use took place when firefighters were
working.

"This appears to be an off-duty thing," Hunt said.

Neither Kovacs or Srbovan had a history of discipline problems,
according to their personnel files.

Kovacs, who joined the force in 1998 and makes a base salary of
$63,364, was promoted in September from driver to rescue lieutenant.
In a job review dated November, Kovac was given an "average" rating
overall. His superiors wrote he can be trusted to fulfill his
obligations but also stated "a more aggressive approach to the daily
routines will certainly benefit him."

Srbovan joined the department in 1989 and earns a base salary of
$81,539. In 2000 he made administrative captain and was praised for
coaching other firefighters and enforcing departmental policies.

City leaders were dismayed by the allegations but asserted their
support for the department. They didn't want the recent arrests to
taint all city firefighters.

"I can't verbalize the magnitude of disappointment we feel right now,"
said City Manager Robert Payton. "The department has the highest
possible standards for accountability."

Commissioner Fitzroy Salesman said he wants to reserve judgment until
the investigations are complete, but he conceded the allegations raise
questions.

"We have a responsibility to take steps to ensure the safety of our
residents since these are people who respond to lifesaving calls,"
Salesman said. "I've had several calls from people who want to know
what happened, and I've assured them that on a whole the Fire
Department is a great department."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin