By John Luciew
The Patriot-News
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A fired Harrisburg firefighter was ordered reinstated this week by an independent arbitrator, who also granted the firefighter two years of back pay.
Joseph K. Williams, a 12-year veteran, said Tuesday he is looking forward to being back on the job.
His return is pending fitness-for-duty tests.
"I'm just thankful I can go back to work and serve the citizens of Harrisburg," he said.
Williams was dismissed Sept. 28, 2006, after being accused of misconduct and insubordination for refusing to attend a department hearing.
Williams contended that, under the union contract, the department was required to give him at least five days' notice of any hearing.
In a binding ruling dated Monday, arbitrator Ralph H. Colslesh Jr. sided with Williams, according to Eric Jenkins, the president of Local 428 of the International Association of Firefighters, which was representing Williams.
City spokesman Matt Coulter said Tuesday he had no immediate comment on the case.
Previously, Williams had filed a federal lawsuit against the Bureau of Fire for dismissing him in late 2001 from the elite Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Task Force One and from the city's internal unit, called Harrisburg Rescue One.
Williams was among 18 city firefighters who participated in rescue and recovery efforts at ground zero in New York City immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
His lawsuit was settled out of court.
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