Indiana Homeland Security monitors fire department certification testing in Muncie

MUNCIE, Ind. − The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has started monitoring all certification tests given by the Muncie Fire Department while investigations into exam cheating allegations are ongoing within the department.

Certification exams were administered this past weekend under watch by a member of the State Fire Marshal's office, which is part of the Indiana Homeland Security.

"It was uneventful," State Fire Marshal Steve Jones said of the weekend testing.

Jones said he became aware of allegations of cheating on certification exams, which include testing to qualify fire fighters to be paramedics and emergency medical technicians as well as certifying for tactical skills, such as water rescue and diving. The certification can affect promotions within the department.

The allegations are that firefighters and EMTs were able to cheat after being provided actual test questions and answers prior to or during their tests. Those exams are required for EMTs and paramedics to be certified to work on an ambulance.

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians is also investigating the department.

Indiana State EMS Director Kraig Kinney told WTHR-Channel 13, which broke the story last week, that the investigations are of both individuals and the department as a whole.

"The question is, are these individuals acting inappropriately at an individual level or on behalf of the department? So the department itself is also part of the investigation," he said.

Last week the city released a statement saying, "...The Muncie Fire Department has not received any kind of notice that the Department itself is under investigation. Because these allegations against individual employees are currently under investigation, the Muncie Fire Department and the City of Muncie have no further comment at this time, on the advice of legal counsel."

Jones said that should the accusations be determined valid, "a broad spectrum" of sanctions could be applied to those caught cheating, ranging from probation to monetary fines.

Jones said the state wants the people of Muncie to know they are going to be safe in the hands of emergency personnel.

Also this week, information about the firing of former director of Emergency Medical Services for MFD, Rachel Clark, was provided to The Star Press.

Clark was fired in October after being accused of failing to work "the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks."

The information about Clark's dismissal was provided to The Star Press Tuesday, although the letter containing the information was dated Feb. 1. The newspaper began asking about the end of employment for the city's first EMS director a couple of weeks after her departure, on Oct. 4, 2022. Initially, Fire Chief Robert Mead declined to say whether Clark was dismissed or chose to resign.

The fire chief said he wanted to be respectful of Clark and said he was thankful for her service in building the city's EMS within the fire department.

The Star Press made a public records request Oct. 26, 2022 asking whether Clark had resigned or quit, as well as the reasoning for her departure.

On Dec. 8, 2022, The Star Press was sent a statement from a city attorney that read: "Rachel Clark's employment was terminated on October 4, 2022 due to a failure to fulfill expectations and requirements as outlined in the job description for the EMS Chief."

The Star Press again requested more information about the reasoning of Clark's resignation.

In a statement dated Feb. 1, the city outlined the reasons why Clark was fired:

"The City has found that Ms. Clark failed to ensure her availability, especially during regular business hours, to communicate with subordinates, supervisors, customers, vendors and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals," the statement read. "The City has found that Ms. Clark failed to exhibit attributes such as attention to detail, self-motivation, etc., in order to maintain a leadership role within the fire department."

The statement went on to say that Clark "failed to personally and consistently respond to emergency situations and participate in EMS functions on a local level to represent the Muncie Fire Department EMS Division."

Clark was hired by the Dennis Tyler administration and assisted in developing the fire department-based ambulance service for the city during 2019.

Clark had been EMS chief for the Rushville City Fire Department. According to a Star Press article published June 15, 2019, Clark worked to obtain quotes on behalf of the Muncie Fire Department, as well as assisting then Fire Chief Eddie Bell in establishing a Muncie ambulance service while working in Rushville.

The creation of a city EMS was controversial in Muncie as the department replaced Delaware County EMS in handling all emergency calls within the city. Also while Clark was employed in Rushville, Muncie bought two ambulances from Rushville at a cost of $85,000.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Homeland Security monitors Muncie fire department certification testing