The city’s fire chief and his two assistants have stepped down after a state-led investigation found they lacked needed certifications to be in leadership positions, according to the state Department of Community Affairs.
The DCA’s Division of Fire Safety investigation, prompted by several large fires and an anonymous complaint, found the officials — Chief Frank Edwardi Sr. and assistant chiefs Mike Ryan and Mike Tighe — lacked the proper certifications for “incident command,” DCA spokeswoman Tammori Petty said.
The three men resigned two weeks ago. Their replacements have proper certifications, Petty said.
In a news release Tuesday, police Chief Thomas McQuillen said residents were never in danger.
“At no time was there any threat to public safety while this certification process was taking place,” he wrote.