By Jacqui Seibel
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
TOWN OF BROOKFIELD, Wis. — Fire Lt. Brian Loomis allowed firefighters to skip nearly all training duties, and instead they doused personal vehicles belonging to police officers last summer and then falsified training records, Fire Chief Andrew Smerz charges.
Loomis engaged in serious misconduct including unprofessional supervision, breach of confidence, failing to exercise appropriate discretion and deceptive conduct, the chief says. Smerz wants Loomis to serve a suspension of three to five 14-hour shifts, the statement of charges says.
Loomis, an 11-year veteran with the department, contends he did nothing wrong and is taking the case to the Police and Fire Commission tonight.
A hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, 645 N. Janacek Road.
Loomis’ attorney, Jill M. Hartley, said Tuesday that Loomis plans to ask that the hearing be held in open session.
On July 23, Loomis, and firefighters Jim Gaulke, a 15-year veteran, and David Balzer, a 13-year veteran, were supposed to conduct training, according to the internal investigation released in February. Instead, they sprayed hydrant water, which is hard and has a foul odor, on two personal vehicles belonging to police officers. One of the vehicles had an open window, and a stroller was damaged. There was a confrontation between police officers and firefighters on the evening of the incident, the investigation says.
One week later, the firefighters filed a complaint against the police officers accusing them of misconduct and abusing their positions.
Smerz then started an internal investigation, which led to a six-month review into the department’s training records. The chief discovered that the firefighters falsified the training record July 23, according to the statement of charges.
Gaulke and Balzer received written warnings for misconduct and are required to complete their training, according to the investigation released in February.
A statement of charges against Loomis says that he shows no remorse for engaging in inappropriate supervision or providing misleading information on the training log. Rather than taking responsibility, Loomis “was defensive, argumentative and failed to demonstrate the qualities and traits expected of a leader,” the statement says.
Loomis contended that he merely modified the training and attempted to justify his poor supervision by arguing that he has the authority to change department policy, according to the statement.
Loomis used “extremely poor judgment in determining that they completed the training program. At a minimum this is irresponsible and disrespectful conduct, but it also is inherently deceptive due to the chief’s reliance on Lt. Loomis’ signature on the training log,” the statement says.
Copyright 2008 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel