Utica fire Chief Russell Brooks says he was “blindsided” when he was placed on paid, indeterminate, nondisciplinary leave by the city of Utica Friday morning.
Brooks, who has been chief for 13 out of the 41 years he has been with the Utica Fire Department, said he was told of the decision during a meeting with Mayor Robert Palmeri and two city legal representatives. Palmeri could not be reached for comment. Brooks said the dispute stems from when Utica firefighters were requested to respond to New York City in 2001 following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.