Haines Borough Public Safety Building. (Emily Files)
On February 10, Haines police arrested Fire Chief Brian Clay for driving under the influence. A few days later, on February 13, Haines Borough Manager Debra Schnabel announced publicly at an assembly meeting that Clay had resigned from his position as chief.
“Chief Clay, the fire chief has resigned from his position,” she said. “Assistant Chief, Al Giddings, has moved into his position.”
Giddings would also not comment on Clay’s reasons for resigning.
“Due to a voluntary resignation by the fire chief, and a request for a leave of absence, the Assistant Chief will fill the position until the position can be filled at a later date,” he says.
He says Clay has requested a six-month leave of absence from the Department.
When asked, Clay declined to comment on his reason for resigning.
Schnabel would also not say why Clay resigned.
Alaska Court records show that Clay was arrested for driving under the influence on February 10. He was pulled over for failing to use a turn signal and took an alcohol test that registered at .178, more than twice the legal limit.
He was also charged with a misdemeanor for possessing firearms while impaired. Police reported a loaded shotgun and a rifle within reach of the driver’s seat in his truck.
Clay says he has retained a lawyer and pleaded not guilty in his arraignment. Court records say Clay admitted to being impaired and operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol to police at the time of his arrest.
While Haines’ fire service is provided by a volunteer fire department, Clay received a salary from the Borough for his work as chief. According to Borough code, duties include “the care, custody, and control of all firefighting equipment and property,” drilling and directing firefighters, keeping records, arranging service contracts, preparing the Department’s budget, and more.
Haines Borough code outlines that a Fire Chief is elected by the members of the department, and then confirmed by the Borough Manager. Gidding says a new Chief would be chosen within two months, in time to notice and then hold an election as laid out by Fire Department bylaws.
Clay is also a member of the Haines School Board. He says he’ll remain on the board.
