Naples Fire Chief Stephen McInerny fired

NAPLES, Fla. – Stephen McInerny has been fired as the city’s fire chief.

“Following several months deliberation, your city manager exercised the right to end the at-will employment relationship,” City Manager Bill Moss wrote in a letter to city council members.

Moss did not disclose why McInerny was fired, but wrote his removal was not related to a unanimous vote of “no confidence” by the local firefighter’s union, which led to an inquiry commissioned by Moss in Nov. 2015.

“Steve McInerny has accomplished many positive things for the Naples Fire-Rescue Department and the citizens of Naples,” Moss wrote. “The decision was made in recognition that his management style is no longer suitable in the present environment, considering the current department staff, the community at-large, and the transitions that will likely occur in the fire-rescue service over the relatively near-term.”

McInerny will receive severance equal to four months salary.

A temporary replacement was not immediately named.