OH Firefighters On Leave for Station Porn

June 18 -- Two romantically involved Akron firefighters are on paid leave for possibly getting too hot in a firehouse.

City administrators have suspended Lt. Art Dean and Provisional Lt. Deann Eller after receiving a tip that the pair of officers allegedly produced pornographic videos on city property then posted their flames of passion on the internet.

Chief Clarence Tucker and Mayor Dan Horrigan spoke strongly Monday about how the alleged behavior did not reflect the values of those who serve and save the city from fires. During a press conference called Monday to address the rumors, Tucker said that Eller and Dean could face additional discipline, including dismissal, if an ongoing investigation concludes they broke the city’s anti-fraternizing rule for men and women.

“We will take prompt and appropriate action,” said Tucker, who added that few details will be shared until the final investigation is over.

Before being placed on paid leave, Dean was at Fire Station 3 in West Hill. Eller, who was promoted earlier this month, was assigned to nearby Fire Station 9 in Highland Square. Authorities said the two were in a longstanding relationship.

Someone, Tucker wouldn’t say who, tipped off a firefighter last week about the sexual acts possibly performed on city property. The firefighter reported the issue to his supervisor, who relayed the information to the chief.

Tucker wouldn’t say which station might have served as the backdrop for the pornographic footage. Nor would Tucker say when authorities believe the sexual activities began, or for how long they went on.

Tucker did not confirm television news reports placing the activity in Fire Station 11 on Akron-Peninsula Road. The TV new reports did not attribute a source for the information.

Several media outlets, which reviewed risque footage circulated and shared widely on various porn websites, had been asking the city about a woman thought to be Eller. The woman in the video appears naked in numerous videos, working out in a basement gym.

City spokeswoman Ellen Lander Nischt said city officials don’t believe the gym is located in one of Akron’s fire stations, but she doesn’t know for sure.

The fire chief dedicated much of his prepared remarks before the press to condemning the alleged behavior and defending what firefighters do everyday.

“The job of an Akron firefighter is about selfless service to the community. The job requires running into burning buildings, rescuing trapped victims, and administering life-saving care to people in their darkest hour,” Tucker said. “These distressing allegations bring unwelcome dishonor and embarrassment to our department and the city of Akron and unfairly discredit the reputation of other Akron firefighters. I know this department and this is not who we are.”

In a joint statement earlier in the day with the mayor, Tucker said he wasted no time placing the two firefighters on paid leave. Each will now receive due process, in accordance with a labor agreement.

Steven Barker, president of the Local 330 firefighter’s union, said Eller and Dean did not want to speak to the media. He did agree to pass along a reporter’s contact information.

Barker expects the investigation to wrap up quickly, maybe in a week. He can’t recall a situation like this in the past. “I’ve never heard anything like it at all. I’ve never heard anything similar to this.”

Eller and Dean were hired on the same day in September 2000. Performance reports show Eller routinely displayed a strong work ethic and rarely missed a day. Dean too racked up solid performance reports. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2015.

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