By Matt Johnson and Amanda Walker
mjohnson@themonroetimes.com
awalker@themonroetimes.com
MONROE — At their meeting Monday, Oct. 7 Monroe City Council representatives discussed the results of an investigation into the Monroe Fire Department’s leaders.
Concerns were initially spurred after a letter was sent to the Police and Fire Commission and then to City Administrator Phil Rath around April 30 asking for the resignation of Monroe Fire Chief Dan Smits and Deputy Chief Alan Rufer. The letter was signed by 24 individuals, most being current fire department members and officers.
After Smits and Rufer declined to resign, an investigation looked into claims that the fire department lacked in leadership, organization and general camaraderie.
An 18-page report, completed by Rath and City Attorney Dan Bartholf, detailed an investigation into the matters, but concluded there was “insufficient evidence” to support action against them.
The report noted the investigative process included about 50 hours of interviews and fact gathering. “…this document serves as a record of the internal review and accompanying recommendations to improve systemic issues within the Monroe Fire Department, which appear to have existed for decades…,” according to the report.
“In fact, aside from the initial letter there were few issues raised regarding the deputy chief and a majority of ‘claims’ regarding the chief were embellished and overly-sensationalized,” according to the report.
Themes from the perspective of those firefighters included questions regarding use of the Merit Center, complaints about a lack of respect and communication from the fire chiefs to department members, concerns over safety during fire calls, issues with how fire scenes are run and others. The report also noted a lack of respect from part-time fire department officers toward the chiefs.
“However, speaking with the firefighters (some with decades of service on the department), this is nothing new for the department,” according to the report.
The report contained many specific recommendations for how all parties involved could improve the organization, including six administrative suggestions and six more each on safety/procedure and leadership, as well as three regarding the relationship between the Monroe Volunteer Firefighters social organization and fire department members.
In concluding comments, “the dedication and passion for the service of (the firefighters) is appreciated; however, the recent allegations and request for resignation/termination of the chief and deputy chief are unfounded,” the report read.
At the council meeting, Alderman Josh Binger was critical of how the report was administered.
The report, titled “2019 Fire Department Internal Review and Recommendations for Improvement,” was first sent to the salary and personnel committee digitally on Sept. 23 and was then given to them as a hard copy the day of the committee meeting, Thursday, Sept. 26.
“My opinion is the report turned into an investigation into the volunteer fire department,” Binger said. “… I’m completely disappointed with the administering of the report…”
Binger said he was “very disappointed” at the short amount of time the salary and personnel committee had to consider the report before it met in consideration of it.
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Rath said he hadn’t expected the council to take any action at the council meeting if they weren’t prepared.
“At least two (committee) members had reviewed the report and said it was a very thorough report,” said Rath on Wednesday, Oct. 9. He added that he wasn’t saying that they agreed with it, but he “had the impression that they had at least read it.”
Alderwoman Kelly Hermanson made a motion that the council consider the report, its administration, impact and other factors at the next meeting of the Monroe Common Council on Oct. 21. This motion was approved by a unanimous vote.
About 20 members of the Monroe Fire Department attended the meeting. Fire Captain Nick Bartels, a firefighter in Monroe since 2004, spoke to the council saying he was chosen as a spokesperson for some members of the department.
Bartels said the initial letter to the council was a way for firefighters to bring attention to “silly politics” that has caused problems in the department.
“There are a lot of things going on down at the fire department that (aren’t) good,” Bartels said. “Some people think we’re just a bunch of whiny firefighters. We just want someone to listen.”
Bartels mentioned difficulties in the management of the fire department. The fire chief and deputy fire chief are the only paid full-time positions in the department. The remainder of the positions in the department are part-time and include three captains and six officers.
Bartels said he was asked to speak by firefighters who forwarded the initial letter because there are “huge concerns” and the outcome of the report didn’t address the concerns.
“After reading the report — we’re very disappointed because it’s biased and one-sided,” Bartels said. “A lot more was said in interviews that wasn’t included in reports.”
Bartels asked the council if firefighters could speak to the entire council or the safety and personnel committee so that they could communicate their feelings directly.
Bartels said he is worried that if he left the fire department, or other firefighters left the department, it would create a considerable public safety issue. Bartels said firefighters do not want to leave the department, but feel their concerns have not been properly addressed.
In the time since he started as fire chief in 2017, Smits said he has brought change to the department, including requiring additional testing for potential new firefighters. He said he’s spent time and effort focused on a strong recruitment program and has tried to increase responses to the community.
“The management of the fire department requires us to do what is right and sometimes change things,” said Smits. “Sometimes personnel do not always respond to that quickly.”
“Based on some conversations with members there are many members that are willing to work with management to move forward with the department,” he added.