Black Forest Fire Chief Bob Harvey cited Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, caused by the ravaging June 2013 wildfire, a hostile work environment and recent board elections as the reason to take medical leave effective immediately during Wednesday’s Board of Directors meeting.

Harvey was criticized in November by El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketafor his handling of the Black Forest fire, alleging the fire chief took too long to hand over command during the initial hours of the historic blaze that burned over 14,000 acres, destroyed 488 homes and killed two people.

A four-month-long investigation priced at about $100,000 concluded Harvey had acted appropriately and no one could have stopped the fire that began June 11.

At a special district election in May, all fire board members up for re-election were voted out and replaced by three firefighters, some of whom had been behind a petition calling for Harvey’s dismissal.

Assistant Chief for Operations Jim Rebitski will take over for Harvey as interim fire chief, said Black Forest fire spokeswoman Kathy Russell.

“Day-to-day operations remain completely unaffected, our citizens will see absolutely no changes or notice any difference with how the fire department operates,” Russell said Thursday.

Board Chairman Rick McMorran declined to comment on Harvey’s leave of absence, saying that it was a personnel issue and the board would respect the fire chief’s privacy.

“Chief Harvey will be on medical leave until further notice and that’s all the board has to say.” McMorran said.

In a statement released Thursday, the fire district’s board of directors confirmed Harvey’s leave and added that the minutes of Wednesday’s meeting, including Harvey’s statement, would be reviewed and approved at the next regular meeting on June 19, when the documents will become public record.

Black Forest Fire Chief Bob Harvey in July, 2013. Photo by Linda Navarro, The Gazette

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