Kenner Fire Chief John Hellmers, who has made a series of
controversial decisions including purchasing expensive fire trucks from a
politically connected vendor, is in hot water over a decision that he made
which effects himself.
ClickJefferson has learned that an internal audit of the
Kenner Fire Department’s Supplemental Educational Compensation will show that
for several years Chief Hellmers has claimed educational compensation that he
was not entitled to receive.
The Kenner Fire Departments has three levels of Supplemental
Educational Compensation that each pay $600 annually to those who qualify. Chief Hellmers has filed, and received, 2 of
the 3 levels of compensation for several years although he only qualified for 1
supplemental payment.
Acting upon information received from multiple sources,
ClickJefferson filed a Public Records Request to view Chief Hellmers’ payroll
stubs for recent years. We then followed up with the Kenner Civil Service
Department and the Kenner Fire Department to get a specific explanation as to
the different levels of compensation and what qualifications were required to
receive each level of compensation. The Kenner Civil Service Department was
unaware of the supplemental compensation and the Kenner Fire Department failed
to respond to multiple requests. ClickJefferson then attempted to contact Chief Hellmers directly via telephone and email to ask the Chief to explain the Supplemental Compensation requirements and to show proof that he was entitled to receive the extra compensation that he claimed. Chief Hellmers did not respond to our requests.
According to sources close to the Kenner Fire Department,
Chief Hellmers has been given an ultimatum: prove you meet the requirements for
the additional compensation before Friday, 5/25/2012, or the Yenni
Administration will take further personnel action.
ClickJefferson has also learned that a personnel complaint
was filed against Chief Hellmers by a KFD applicant who was denied the
opportunity to join the KFD. The applicant was told by Chief Hellmers that the
applicant had failed a pre-employment medical test. The applicant discussed the
test results with the Doctor who administered the test and was told that the
applicant had passed the test and that Chief Hellmers was mistaken.
ClickJefferson will keep you posted on the continuing drama
surrounding Kenner Fire Chief John Hellmers.
