911 center workers lose jobs after sharing New Year's toast
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Three 911 supervisors were fired and seven operators resigned after sharing an alcohol-spiked drink while working on New Year’s Eve, officials said.
The employees violated longstanding county policy when they drank eggnog spiked with alcohol to ring in the new year, Lehigh County General Services Director Rick Mochany said.
The Lehigh County Communication Center is budgeted for 53 operators and 10 supervisors, Molchany told The (Allentown) Morning Call.
“Losing these 10 people affects our morale,” he said. “We’re working diligently to hire and train new people and coordinate with our county’s police and fire chiefs" to minimize the impact until the new hires start their jobs.
Lehigh County Commissioner Dan Hartzell said the toast sounded innocuous to him, but he understood and respected the decision made by the administration.
“It was a clear violation of county policy,” Hartzell said. “It was determined we cannot let this become a slippery slope.”
The 911 center handles emergency calls for Allentown and surrounding municipalities.
Comments
Just like the Food Safety trained person at the Restaurant in Lehighton. People that lack maturity, who will lower the standard and hope they won't get caught. Wondering if they were properly vetted. Some one else will be ready and waiting to take their job.
"We can not let this become a slippery slope." per Dan Hartzell.