Few JENNIFER BRUNO/STAFF

Fire chief reports to grand jury

Few provides documents for investigation as District of Columbia officials review his resume

Web posted June 9, 2000

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By Mark Mathis and Sylvia Cooper
Staff Writers

Less than a week after being nominated to become the next fire chief in Washington, Ronnie Few on Thursday was again in front of a special grand jury that is investigating the entire county government.

For the appearance, the Augusta-Richmond County fire chief said, he was asked to bring documents pertaining to conferences the fire department has held since he took the job in 1997.

Chief Few said it was the third or fourth time he had appeared before the grand jury.

Questions during his appearances have not had to do with alleged wrongdoings but rather with the philosophy he uses to run the fire department, Chief Few said.

He would not, however, be more specific about the grand jury.

``They have the right to ask questions of me about my job as a fire chief,'' he said Thursday. ``Now, I don't particularly care about personal stuff, but as long as they ask me something about Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department, I don't have a problem with it. I'll talk to the world about it.''

Chief Few became irritated after more questioning from reporters about whether the grand jury would affect his upcoming confirmation hearing in front of the Washington City Council.

OTHER STORIES: • Fire chief nears OK for Washington job • Chief answers questions • Capital supports fire chief • Few addresses allegations • Augustans back Few in capital • Agents confiscate fire records • Fire official resigns from department • Few pays $642 bill for calls • Officials' phone bills top $1,000 • Mayor is unsettled by debts • Chiefs group covers late bill • Chiefs' bill goes unpaid • Ex-fire chief bids farewell to Augusta • Group hits media for Few squabble • Fire chief reports to grand jury • Few faces final vote by D.C. council • Few accepts D.C. job

``I've had a good time in Augusta, Ga., and I'm on my way to Washington, D.C.,'' he said. ``I haven't done anything wrong. Why are you acting like I'm the only one being investigated? It's the entire government.''

After Washington Mayor Anthony Williams announced Chief Few as his candidate to become the capital's fire chief, several District of Columbia council members expressed concerns about him, ranging from his coming from a smaller department to the grand jury investigation.

Again Thursday, Chief Few said he is confident he will be approved by council members when he appears before them later this month.

The current grand jury was seated after the recommendations made by its predecessor, whose term ended in November. The previous grand jury raised concerns in a report in September about the distribution of pay raises in the fire department.

The report said raises were distributed preferentially to higher level administrative staff and officials.

Chief Few has denied the claim repeatedly, saying the pay raises were given to administrative personnel who were underpaid.

Although admitting he has felt like a target for criticism at times during his tenure, Chief Few said he has enjoyed his time in Augusta.

``What can you expect from a person who came from the outside and then came in as a change agent?'' he asked. ``I've got to tell you, that's exactly why they hired me in D.C. It was because they know that there are some people in this business that can make some certain changes, maybe tough ones. .ƒ.ƒ. I think sometimes the media got a little bit overboard sometimes with the things they did.

``But all in all, I don't have any regrets about my stay here. I just wish I could have stayed just a little bit longer to see some of the things I started finished.''

Reach Mark Mathis and Sylvia Cooper at (706) 724-0851.