An independent study of the Augusta Fire Department detailed numerous deficiencies in the department but stopped short of recommending a change in leadership. Obtained by The Augusta Chronicle, the study – of management and employee relations – portrayed a department in which chain of command is "nonexistent," policies are ignored or applied inconsistently and morale extremely low. The Augusta Commission agreed in July to spend up to $25,000 on a "needs assessment" after receiving numerous complaints, mountains of data and demands for Fire Chief Chris James to resign from Augusta Firefighters Association Local 3357...