DISMISSED fire chief David Johnson has criticised the fire service for their treatment of those suffering with mental health problems and claims the number of people suing the service is in double figures.

Mr Johnson was publicly fired after a two-year investigation into alleged misconduct.

It had previously been understood there was no evidence to support ten claims made against him.

But Essex Fire Authority bosses sacked him with immediate effect following a two-year investigation and Mr Johnson is considering legal action against the service.

He had been on full pay throughout the entirety of his absence, receiving an annual salary of £224,954.

The cost of his absence to the taxpayer has been estimated at more than £1million, taking into account wages, the cost of the investigation, and legal bills.

The former fire chief has now taken to social media to criticise the fire service for how they treated him when he was suffering from mental illness.

He was granted sick leave in June 2014 before he was suspended in April 2015 to allow for an investigation into unspecified allegations and has now claimed this was for mental health reasons.

On a specialist page set up by firefighters to combat cuts to Essex Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Johnson criticised his treatment by bosses.

He said: “Shortly before my suspension in 2014, which was done for the stated reason of having my health assessed before I was investigated, the-then Deputy Chief Fire Officer and Chairman had emailed the monitoring officer alerting him to the fact that I was unwell with mental health problems.

“Unfortunately support was replaced with disciplinary action and I think the content of the Deputy Chief Fire Officer’s emails would shock people.

“That appears to be a common theme and I am aware of a number of individuals who are suffering from serious mental health problems being disciplined rather than supported.

“For an organisation that I believe has signed up to the blue light pledge it leaves a lot to be desired.”

Mr Johnson goes on to state that the “number of individuals now pursuing the fire service through legal action is well into double figures” and that “a group of officers have written to the PCC, anonymously because of fear of reprisals, asking him to intervene”.

He added: “It makes you question what was the point of the Lucas report and that perhaps McGuirk and co weren’t worth £400k after all?”

The Lucas Report was the result of a formal enquiry into the fire service and was published in September 2015.

It was commissioned by the fire service after a number of serious incidents including the suicide of two serving firefighters and allegations of bullying.

The report highlighted “intimidatory culture” and “dangerous and pervasive bullying at every level”.

An independent advisory panel, of which Steve McGuirk was a member, was appointed from outside the service to oversee change, at a two-year cost of £400,000.

Both Essex Fire and Rescue Service and the Police and Crime Commissioner were approached for comment but did not respond by the time the Echo went to press.