NEWS

Christmas billboard lands firefighters in hot water

Spencer Remoquillo
Gannett Ohio

LANCASTER - An unauthorized billboard with a "Merry Christmas" message has led to the discipline of nearly one-third of the Lancaster Fire Department and exposed a long-simmering feud.

Seventeen firefighters were reprimanded from Lancaster fire's Crew 3, and a retired fire captain was banned from city firehouses, after they posed for a billboard picture on a fire truck on city time during the holiday season. Crew 3 is one of three day-long shifts for the Lancaster Fire Department.

Firefighters paid for the billboard out of their own pockets when they decided instead of exchanging gifts last year they would show crew pride with a "Merry Christmas" message to the city of Lancaster.

The billboard was put up Nov. 30 on Memorial Drive across from the Plaza shopping center. It was only up for a few days when Lancaster Law Director and City Prosecutor Randall Ullom saw the sign, its religious message and determined it was in violation of city rules and policies. The billboard was removed Dec. 15.

In a letter to Fire Chief Dave Ward, Ullom said the holiday message is a "civil liability for the city" as it expresses religious favoritism or partiality. Ward was on vacation when he said Ullom first saw the sign.

The firefighters also failed to obtain permission from the fire administration to take the picture at Engine House 1 while on city time or to use city property, which Ward and other city officials said was the largest problem.

"We have to take this seriously," Ward said. "This is the city's money."

In January, an investigation was launched into the billboard and its intent by Assistant Fire Chief Jack Mattlin at the request of Ullom and Ward.

'Super Crew 3'

Pictured in DC Comics' Superman T-shirts and fire uniforms, 18 people posed for the holiday billboard, including retired Crew 3 Capt. Tom Dempsey.

Everyone pictured was disciplined, ranging from a written reprimand up to 48 hours suspension without pay and a 12-month probationary period. Dempsey, who retired two years ago after 33 years with the department and 14 years as fire captain of Crew 3, believes he was also disciplined, but in a different way.

On Jan. 12, Interim Service Safety Director Paul Martin sent Dempsey a letter explaining Dempsey was banned from all Lancaster fire stations and that if he failed to comply, he could face criminal prosecution.

City officials' and Ward's reaction to the billboard, Dempsey said, was directly related to his and Crew 3's personality conflicts with Ward, not the rules they claim were broken.

On Thursday, Ward denied the discipline was handed down because he felt undermined by the sign. Instead, he said the sign was clearly in violation of the department's policies and procedures. Ward did say he has "had issues" with Crew 3 in the past because of changes he has made since he became fire chief four years ago.

When Mattlin interviewed Crew 3 members, they said their intent was good-natured.

"All that participated thought this would be a good way to say thanks to the citizens as well as encourage some crew rivalry," Mattlin's report said.

Mattlin said it was also clear that many of the firefighters did not know the department's rules or policies. No other Crew 3 firefighters would speak to the Eagle-Gazette.

Union President Terry Bowers negotiated the discipline down to suspended time for the officers and a written reprimand for the rest involved. Bowers said the decision was "fair and equitable."

Regardless of the personality conflicts, Pam Krivda, a Columbus attorney with more than 20 years experience as a management/labor lawyer, said generally in situations like this, the employees should face discipline.

The Eagle-Gazette contacted Krivda to weigh in on the issue with a brief knowledge of the billboard and its outcome, but without in-depth knowledge of the firefighters' contracts and the disciplinary actions/negotiations.

When asked if the punishment fit the crime, Krivda said it did.

"The whole thing is made murky in our minds because the message is 'Merry Christmas,'" Krivda said.

sremoquill@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4342

Twitter: @SpencerRemo