The chief of the Prescott Fire Department is being forced out of his job by the City Manager. Even though this happened three months after 19 members of the department lost their lives on the Yarnell Hill Fire, the reason for Fire Chief Dan Fraijo’s departure is unclear.

Prescott City Manager Craig McConnell told the Daily Courier that the Chief is leaving by “mutual agreement” effective November 15, but Chief Fraigo told the Courier and the Arizona Republic that the city asked him to leave.

The 70-year old Chief, formerly with the Phoenix Fire Department, was hired on an interim basis in May, 2012 and was named Fire Chief in February, 2013. His contract specified that either party could end his employment with 30 days’ notice.

The official report of the 19 fire fatalities of the Granite Mountain Hotshots found “no indication of negligence, reckless actions, or violations of policy of protocol” on the part of the firefighters.

Thanks go out to Gary