By Jake Wagman
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
ST. LOUIS — Sherman George lost his job as fire chief on Monday because he refused to end his long hold on promotions.
A day later, his replacement showed he was a quick study.
Acting Fire Chief Steve Kotraba, barely 24 hours in office, promoted on Tuesday five firefighters to battalion chief, a small but diverse class that included two African-Americans and the highest-ranking woman in the history of the department.
The members of the group were the top scorers on a contentious 2004 promotional exam that was the subject of a federal bias case and, later, a tug of war between George and the mayor’s office.
City Hall won that contest this week, removing George from office and ending the limbo for firefighters who have been waiting three years to get promoted.
Even so, the day brought mixed emotions for firefighters such as new Battalion Chief Steve Simpson, who has been with the department for 19 years. Simpson served previously as a spokesman for George, and said he wished it were the old chief giving him the new badge.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” Simpson said. “I’m just happy to be promoted.”
Kotraba said he would make the rest of the promotions (there are about two-dozen openings for captain) by the end of the week. For months, many of the candidates have been performing the duties of the higher rank without the pay or title.
On Tuesday, Kotraba assured the first round of new officers that they had the support and trust of City Hall and the fire department.
“I know that this process has been frustrating,” Kotraba told them.
Tuesday’s long-anticipated event came together quickly. Applicants were notified in the morning of their new rank. By 2 p.m., they were getting sworn in. Candidates had little time to get friends, families — or even themselves — to the ceremony at department headquarters.
One new battalion chief, Daniel J. Fog, was in Canada on family business. He decided not to fly home; Fog’s wife, Kathleen Fog, agreed to appear on his behalf.
“Thank God it finally came true for him,” said Kathleen Fog, clutching her husband’s new battalion chief helmet under her arm. “He earned it.”
Joining Fog on stage was Gail Simmons, the fire department’s first female captain and, now, the first female battalion chief. Simmons, 42, joined the department in 1987, after becoming an emergency medical technician as a high school senior. Simmons is currently stationed at Lambert Field, though she is waiting to learn what her new command post will be as battalion chief.
“It’s a great honor,” Simmons said. “It’s something I’ve worked very hard to achieve.”
George, demoted to deputy chief on Monday, did not appear personally at the ceremony, though his presence was felt.
“Chief George has been my chief and friend for a long time,” said new Battalion Chief Lonnie Hughes. “He is in a precarious situation - I feel for him.”
Hughes, who had been “acting” battalion chief at one of the busiest engine houses in the city, was until Tuesday a member of the Firefighters’ Institute for Racial Equality, a fraternal association of black firefighters that supported George.
Though his new rank means he is no longer eligible to be a member of the group, Hughes hopes the promotions will lead to an agreement on a better test to promote firefighters.
Despite scoring the top overall mark on the 2004 test, Hughes said he didn’t think the test was equitable.
“Just because I finished first,” Hughes said, “doesn’t mean it’s fair.”
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