The Blade
TOLEDO, Ohio — The union representing 490 Toledo firefighters continues lobbying for the chief to step down.
Jeff Romstadt, president of Local 92 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, and union member Dan Desmond, a former president, told The Blade’s editorial board on Tuesday that fire Chief Luis Santiago’s poor leadership necessitates his removal.
“The mayor is the one that has to make that decision, but the body has spoken very loudly,” said Mr. Romstadt.
About 87 percent — 319 of the 365 firefighters who submitted ballots — voted no confidence in the chief last month. The union represents privates, lieutenants, and captains in the department.
Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association President Dan Wagner has since sent a letter to Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson stating the union is in solidarity with the firefighters union.
Mr. Romstadt said members of the firefighters union support a strong response, and leadership is determining the next steps, he said.
“If it’s a march on city hall, we’re ready to march,” he said.
A fire department spokesman said Chief Santiago was unavailable for comment Tuesday. Mayor Hicks-Hudson’s spokesman said she would not be available as well, but the mayor has previously issued her support for the chief.
Mr. Romstadt and Mr. Desmond discussed the case of Kevin Wolever, a former city fire inspector found not guilty by reason of insanity on charges of firing at two city fire stations.
Mr. Wolever is the son of a former fire chief.
Chief Santiago did not turn over to police a threatening letter made by Mr. Wolever that would have aided the investigation, said Mr. Romstadt.
Also included among the union’s complaints against the fire chief are multiple policy decisions cited in a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health report on the January, 2014, deaths of two firefighters. The chief has served in the position since July, 2011.
The lack of a dedicated safety officer contributed to the deaths of Pvts. Stephen Machcinski and James Dickman, according to the report. The chief instead provided safety officer training to members of the department, but the union called that program condensed and inadequate.
The safety officer position has since returned to the department in a different role.
An officer trained for a few hours likely would not feel confident to speak against a senior firefighter if he or she felt a fire were unsafe, Mr. Desmond said.
Mr. Desmond said decisions like removing this position suggest firefighters’ safety is not a priority.
“The message is quite clear to the culture of the fire department,” Mr. Desmond said.
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