Spokane Valley fire captain fired over emails

Published On: Oct 10 2012 08:40:04 AM PDT   Updated On: Oct 10 2012 10:53:00 AM PDT
Spokane Valley Fire Dept.
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. -

The Spokane Valley Fire Department has fired a captain who continued to send religious emails from his department account despite numerous orders to stop.

The Spokesman-Review reported that Capt. Jon Sprague, who runs the Spokane County Christian Firefighter Fellowship, has been disciplined several times for sending the emails.

This year, he received two letters of reprimand and a suspension before the Spokane Valley Board of Fire Commissioners voted unanimously to fire him on Monday.

Sprague sent emails to a group of firefighters who agreed to receive the notices. They contained information about upcoming meetings and events of the Christian fellowship group.

Department attorney Mike McMahon says sending the emails was an unlawful use of department resources.

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