Jackson, Wyo. — Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Chief Stephen Jellie has been placed on an administrative leave, according to an announcement made by Teton County on Thursday, Jan. 4.
Teton County Commissioners’ Administrator Alyssa Watkins placed Jellie on the leave. The Teton County Board of County Commissioners “affirmed” her action, according to the press release.
“More information will be provided when legally permissible,” the press release states. “We appreciate the public’s engagement and know we all share a deep care for our community.”
Assistant Fire Chief Mike Moyer will take over in the interim.
Jellie took the helm of Fire/EMS in Nov. 2022, following the retirement of Brady Hansen. Public criticism of Jellie came to a head a year later when a retired fire chief called for Jellie to resign.
According to the Jackson Hole News&Guide, Jellie’s leadership style has been unpopular.
“The announcement of Jellie’s leave came after three meetings over three weeks in which dozens of firefighters, their families and supporters called for his removal,” the News&Guide said. “Firefighters have described flagging morale in the face of swift operational changes that they see as reducing emergency services for the sake of meager cost savings. Many have also taken issue with what they say is Jellie’s communication style, which they allege can range from confusing to confrontational.”
