Mayor, fire chief update on letter of no-confidence

Under review as department readies for move to new station

“I will not opine on why that path was taken, however, it has been presented and all the concerns will be reviewed.” — Fire Chief Chris Stempowski

Vermilion’s mayor and fire chief gave updates to City Council regarding the no-confidence letter that was filed about two weeks ago against a handful of Vermilion Fire Department officers.

Both Mayor Jim Forthofer and fire Chief Chris Stempowski met with firefighters who signed the letter Jan. 10, where the concerns mentioned in the letter were detailed.

“I will not opine on why that path was taken, however, it has been presented and all the concerns will be reviewed,” Stempowski said during a Jan. 11 Council Health and Safety Committee meeting.

In the meantime, he said of those concerns being resolved, the Fire Department will go about its normal duties.

“We’re going to continue to do our jobs and continue to do what is expected of the Fire Department,” Stempowski said.

Forthofer said the details given during the meeting, which were presented in writing and discussed, allowed better understanding of the issues of concern.

The letter originally stated concerns as “hostile work environment that has produced poor morale and possibility of losing personnel, lack of communication on department issues, lack of training, poor judgment regarding officers’ abilities and scene judgment, lack of manpower, lack of training of officers and safety concerns regarding apparatus and equipment.” Council entered into an executive session regarding the hiring and firing of city employees after committee meetings were complete.

In other news

Stempowski said the Fire Department will receive its occupancy permit for the new Vermilion Fire Department Station No. 1 a bit later than anticipated.

Previously hoping to start transitioning equipment and personnel on Jan. 4, the chief said there still are a number of punch-list items needing to be completed at the station.

Stempowski said he would prefer that the Fire Department does not start moving in until a majority of those tasks are complete.

He anticipates receiving the permit sometime this week.

The city’s IT department also is working on finishing up technological features at the new station, including radio communications.

The current radio antennae tower for Station No. 1 will be moved to the new station, which is anticipated to begin later this week.