Ozark fire chief placed on leave

OZARK - Whether Ozark Fire Department Chief Dempsey Barefield showed up for a potentially dangerous fuel spill while under the influence last week is still being investigated by the City of Ozark, officials confirmed Thursday.

City personnel director Melissa Robinson said the chief was placed on paid administrative after an allegation that he may have been under the influence of alcohol when he showed up near Eufaula Street in response to a wreck last Thursday, where a fuel truck had collided with a train.

There were no serious injuries reported.

Robinson said it is city protocol to place any employee on administrative leave while an internal investigation takes place.

Any decision for discipline, if warranted, could be made next week.

“The time varies for each person depending on the circumstances. I’m pretty confident a decision in this (investigation) will be made by next week,” Robinson said.