The head of Edmonton’s fire department is calling drug-related charges recently leveled against one of their firefighters ‘disappointing’ – it’s the second time in a year an Edmonton firefighter has faced such charges.

On Nov. 26, Strathcona County RCMP acted on tips from the public, and officers from the county Drug Unit searched a home in the Strathcona Village area of Sherwood Park.

With the assistance of the ALERT Green Team, officers found about 85 marijuana plants, along with equipment used for cultivating them.

As a result, David Chevalier, 28, was arrested and charged with production of marijuana and possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Edmonton’s Fire Chief Ken Block said the fire department was notified on the charges on Nov. 26, and Chevalier was placed on leave, without pay.

“It’s disappointing, whenever a fire rescue member is involved in something that tarnishes the image or the reputation with the community that’s a concern for us,” Block said – reiterating that the charges are allegations at this point.

“However, having said that we do hold our staff accountable and there is an expectation that the importance that fire rescue administration places on the community relationship. That important confidence, trust, and integrity with our citizens and taxpayers, the expectation is that our staff respects that.”

That case marks the second time an Edmonton firefighter faced similar charges in 2012.

Back in early March, Najeeb Manah, 33, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count each of production of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled drug.

Manah was charged after Edmonton police seized more than 500 marijuana plants from a northeast Edmonton home on March 7.

The plants had a street value of more than $500,000 – in addition to another 13.5 lbs of processed pot and thousands of dollars-worth of equipment.

The Fire Chief said the trust of Edmontonians in the fire department is paramount.

“We’re here for our citizens, at their most vulnerable moments,” Block said. “When they need help they call 911 – if it involves fire, a life threatening medical event or rescue, we’re there for them and we’re proud to be there for them.

“That’s a relationship that you really have to respect and hold dearly, and anything that diminishes that relationship is not looked favourably upon.”