CHARLOTTE, N.C. — City Manager Ron Carlee has reprimanded Charlotte Fire Chief Jon Hannan for releasing confidential information about a fellow firefighter.
Hannan says he received a memo from an assistant city manger on March 4th as he entered a meeting with her and members of the city attorney’s office.
At the end of the meeting, Hannan says he mistakenly understood all the topics discussed at the meeting, including the memo, had previously been made public through the actions of others.
On March 9th, Hannan says he gave a reporter a copy of the memorandum from the meeting. Hannan claims on March 20th he realized the information was not supposed to be made public.
Carlee put a reprimand in Hannan’s personnel file and has placed Hannon on a three-month probationary period, due to his release of the memo.
City Manager Ron Carlee released the following statement:
Charlotte is very proud of its Fire Department and has deep appreciation and respect for the men and women who keep the City safe every day. There are numerous examples of individual heroism and extraordinary professionalism in their efforts to save lives and to protect property. Fire Chief Jon Hannan has had a long and distinguished career and can be proud of the outstanding Fire Department that he has helped build and continues to lead.
Today Chief Hannan also issued a statement describing his mistake in releasing confidential information that was part of an employee’s file. He apologized for this error and accepted the consequences for this violation of policy. I respect him for doing so.
Charlotte is in a period of transition, during which it is important to provide stability and consistency in day-to-day operations in order to keep the City moving forward. During this time, it is especially important that our leaders hold themselves and each other to the highest standards and provide support to one another, working toward the mutual success of the city. The Fire Chief has committed to model these behaviors. I will support him in doing so.
