Firing of 7 firefighters irrevocable – chief

The director general of Panama’s fire dept (CBP), said on Monday, March 18, that the decision to sack  seven firefighters is irrevocable.

Paul Tuñón sais that the dismissals were not due to a "fad" on his part, but the execution of the law and the bylaws of the organization.
"I'm for enforcing the law, the decision made was not a whim, and they had been warned," he said. Tuñón rsaid that the firefighters were fired for using government equipmengt to make protests in the streets and to make statements against the administration of CBP.
He said that, although there were several roundtables, the group of firefighters maintained an uncompromising position and insubordination. "They asked 13 points that are being met not because they demanded it, but because they are part of the plan of this administration," he said.
After hearing Tuñón’s statements, Gabriel Gomez, who chairs the Association of Firefighters, said he will insist on the submission of petitions for reconsideration of the layoffs, as established by the rules.
"We will follow what is stated in the rules and wait for the response from the director," said Gomez.