Mohawk Valley Fire Chief Dismissed Over Command Conflicts

Dismissal of Volunteer Fire Captain Sparks Internal Conflict

The Mohawk Valley Joint Fire District has taken significant disciplinary action against one of its volunteer fire captains, while also considering further measures against another. This decision followed a lengthy and closed-door meeting held on September 11, where the governing board of the agency made the difficult choice to dismiss one of its volunteers.

The captain in question, Cruze Giannelli, was part of the department that serves Sandy Township and Waynesburg. The board claimed he failed to meet his responsibilities and created division within the department. Giannelli, who attended the hearing at the district’s offices located at 8285 Waynesburg Dr. SE, left the building immediately after the board announced its unanimous decision. He did not provide any public comments, but he mentioned, “I'll send you a bunch of stuff.”

Giannelli was given until September 15 to return any property or equipment belonging to the fire district. As a volunteer, he was not compensated for his service and had been with the department since at least 2018, according to Jenna Swihart, the board chair. He had recently been promoted to the position of captain within the past year.

The board found Giannelli guilty of several charges, including failing to address his concerns through the proper chain of command, showing disrespect toward other firefighters, causing internal conflict, and making statements that damaged the department's reputation. However, the board cleared him of allegations related to missing training sessions without justification and not following the fire chief’s directive to submit a list of training deficiencies.

The board has postponed announcing the outcome of the disciplinary process for another volunteer fire captain who faces similar accusations. The decision will be made on September 18. The identity of this second captain remains undisclosed, as he was not present during the hearing and could not be reached for comment.

According to Mark Finamore, the attorney representing the board, Giannelli set up an alternative training program late last year. He invited approximately 20 firefighters from the district to attend the session at a different location without the knowledge or approval of Fire Chief James Marraccini.

Finamore explained that Giannelli felt he was stuck in a deadlock with the chief and decided to bypass the usual channels by requesting a private meeting with the board’s trustees. This meeting occurred while Marraccini was on vacation in mid-2024. The chief was unaware of the meeting, and the board was also unaware of his lack of knowledge about it.

Giannelli’s main concern was that the department was not receiving adequate training in areas he believed were essential. When he raised these issues with the fire chief, he felt that his concerns were not adequately addressed.

Swihart emphasized that no other firefighters are currently facing discipline related to this matter. The disciplinary hearings for the two captains began on September 4 at 6 p.m. and continued until 11:30 p.m., with testimony provided by the two captains and four other firefighters.

This incident highlights the challenges faced by volunteer fire departments in maintaining unity and effective communication. It also underscores the importance of clear protocols for addressing grievances and ensuring that all members feel heard and respected.

As the Mohawk Valley Joint Fire District moves forward, it will need to carefully consider how to address the underlying issues that led to this situation. The lessons learned from this event could serve as a valuable opportunity for growth and improvement within the department.