By Luke Nozicka, Matti Gellman
The Kansas City Star
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A deputy chief of the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department, who last year was accused of leadership failures by the union, has been placed on leave, according to an internal announcement.
First Deputy Fire Chief Jack Andrade was placed on leave last week “until further notice,” though it remained unclear why.
Interim Fire Chief Dennis Rubin, who took the helm in June, notified employees of the management change in an email. In Andrade’s absence, Rubin said he also will serve as acting deputy chief of operations, while another deputy chief will temporarily oversee the administrative division.
The Star could not reach Andrade for comment by phone.
Last year, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 64, the union representing members of the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department, issued a vote of no confidence against Andrade.
The union called for Andrade and then-Fire Chief Michael Callahan to be investigated. The union claimed the two caused workforce retention and recruitment issues. Callahan announced his resignation in April after nearly five years as fire chief.
“For several years, Local 64 has desired to achieve a better working relationship from its department for the benefit of all involved but instead, has been met with hostile working conditions, threats of violence, and unprecedented actions involving members of the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department,” union officials wrote at the time.
The union did not respond to requests for comment about Andrade’s leave.
At the time, the KCKFD said it was committed to ensuring a safe work environment. Callahan denied retaliating against anyone and said he inherited a fire department where employees were complacent and lacked discipline.
About 75 firefighters voiced their concerns last year by protesting over safety problems they said were ignored by department leadership. That included a lack of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Relations between the union and fire leadership have been strained in recent years. That tension was outlined in a workforce assessment completed last month by the Center for Public Safety Management, a consulting firm based in Washington, D.C.
Auditors found “deep” communication gaps in the fire department, a lack of trust and confidence in leadership and human resources, and low morale. There was also a “perceived lack of transparency and fairness” in promotional decisions.
The group reviewed 24 complaints filed from late 2019 and fall 2022 that stemmed from allegations of retaliation, sexual harassment and discrimination. Auditors also sent a survey to all staff.
“Most respondents disagree or only marginally agree with statements that they feel they are treated fairly, that assignments are based on merit, that discipline is transparent, or that people are treated equally regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation,” the final report noted.
The center recommended that the fire department make a strategic plan with a core component of diversity and inclusion. It also suggested KCKFD form a policy review committee, which would include labor and management.
The findings were presented at last month’s Unified Government Board of Commissioners meeting. Joe Pozzo, of the firm, said then that many employees feel like “top administration doesn’t care about them” in a department without a clear vision.
“We don’t know where we are,” Pozzo said firefighters told him. “We don’t know where we are headed.”
Despite those issues, Pozzo said, firefighters remain proud of the work they do, including their quick responses to emergencies, their aggressive fire tactics and their good rapport with residents.
Rubin, the interim fire chief, told commissioners the communication issues, as well as others, will be resolved.
“With the comprehensive report that this group has left us, we’ll be able to do some pretty good work,” Rubin said.
Mayor Tyrone Garner told firefighters seated in the room that they were valued, vowing to provide assistance as the department works to improve relationships.
Asked this week about Andrade, a spokesperson said the Unified Government does not comment on confidential personnel matters.
The UG said under the new leadership of the fire department, as well as the county administrator, it will work through the audit findings and recommendations “as part of our commitment to continuous improvement and community at-large.”
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