McKees Rocks Deputy Fire Chief resigns in protest

MCKEES ROCKS, Pa. — McKees Rocks Deputy Fire Chief Jim Tarbert packed his truck with his firefighting gear for the final time.

“I am (pause) ... going to issue my resignation as deputy chief,” Tarbert said, choking up as he shared his decision with 11 Investigates in an exclusive interview.

A firefighter for more than 30 years with the city of Pittsburgh and McKees Rocks Volunteer Fire Department, he said it was a hard decision.

“I’ve lived a life of public service,” Tarbert said, struggling to get the words out, “from ‘87 until now.”

Leaving McKees Rocks after 12 years with the company is the culmination of a year of infighting that Tarbert said started when a new fire chief, Don Baird, took office in 2021. Since then, nearly two-thirds of the members have left.

And now this.

Investigation of Improper Credit Card Use

Tarbert showed 11 Investigates receipts documenting that Baird went to the Speedway Gas Station on Island Avenue and repeatedly gassed up his personal vehicle, charging the fuel to the borough. The receipts showed Baird racked up more than $700 in charges in November and December 2021 alone.

“It’s immoral. It’s unethical. You’re breaking the trust of the community,” Tarbert said.

He filed a complaint and Allegheny County police began investigating in January. Tarbert said, when questioned, the chief acknowledged he used the department’s credit card for his personal vehicle but said it was only for fire department business.

11 Investigates reached Baird by phone, asking him about the investigation and if he thought it was appropriate to use the card for personal use but he declined to comment.

Tarbert said the department has a long-standing policy against using the McKees Rocks Borough funded credit card to gas up personal vehicles.

“Everybody uses their personal vehicles to go to a fire call,” Tarbert said, angrily. “Why should he be the one to get reimbursed? No one ever got reimbursed for fuel use, no one.”

McKees Rocks lacks written policy

McKees Rocks has no written policy on using the credit card, and this week, county police notified the borough no charges would be filed against Baird.

Allegheny County Police Spokesperson Matthew Mineard told 11 investigates in an email, “We discussed our investigative findings with the district attorney’s office whom (sic) determined that the facts do not give rise to any criminal charges for which a successful prosecution is likely.”

“I know he was not charged with a crime, but he still broke that public trust,” Tarbert said in response to the decision. “He used taxpayers’ money—knew he used taxpayers’ money—

to put gas in his own personal vehicle. It is wrong.”

McKees Rocks Council President Archie Brinza told Channel 11, he also believes Baird’s use of the card was inappropriate. He said the borough plans to clarify the policy in writing and ask the chief to refund the money.

“It was improper and it’s not going to happen again,” Brinza said. “We are planning to pursue full restitution.”

Tarbert alleges backlash for being whistleblower

Tarbert said he believes he faced backlash from the fire department board of directors for being a whistleblower.

He showed Channel 11 a three-page list of concerns the board gave him, regarding his behavior in his secondary role as company president, which is administrative.

One issue was not consulting the board before sending a letter suspending the chief after the investigation was underway.

The board voted to strip Tarbert of his position as company president but allowed him to continue as deputy chief, the position he now leaves.

“I cannot grasp going back to that toxic atmosphere,” he said, calling the action “retaliation” for refusing to stop the investigation into the chief.

Tarbert said the dwindling membership at the department has raised public safety concerns. The number of active firefighters went from more than 30 last year to the current 12. To combat the shortage of volunteers, McKees Rocks has signed an agreement with the Crafton, Stowe Township and Seville fire departments to assist one another on fire calls, when needed.

‘Stabbed in the Heart & Back’

11 investigates was there as Tarbert hand wrote his resignation letter:

“To the members of the McKees Rocks Independent Volunteer Fire Department, it is with an emotional heart, that I must submit my resignation as deputy chief. I would also like to be returned to retired life-member status and removed from the active roll. Respectfully Submitted, James C. Tarbert.”

He said this was not the way he wanted to close out his career but believes he had no choice.

He drove to the station and took the final steps.

“McKees Rocks Deputy Chief and it’s got my name on it,” he said as he removed the shield from his helmet to keep as a memento.

“I paid for it,” he said. “It will go up on the mantle with my city of Pittsburgh shield.

Then, he went into the fire house for the last time as an active member.

He left his gear, the resignation letter and his keys on the table and walked out the door.

“Fire department was my life, and to have it end this way,” he said fighting back tears, “a knife in the heart and in the back.”

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