GEORGETOWN, Ind. (WDRB) -- A majority of the firefighters at a southern Indiana fire department report they have "no confidence" in their chief.
Seventeen firefighters at the Georgetown Township Fire Protection District wrote in a letter that Chief Richard Bader has engaged in "micromanagement, manipulation to cause strife, mental and physical intimidation, personal attacks on credibility ... and physical violence."
Since at least December, firefighters have complained about a bad culture, including bullying, double standards and threats.
In mid-December, a group of former firefighters said at a special fire board meeting that department heads, Bader and Deputy Chief Jim Mayfield, have created a toxic culture in which firefighters felt threatened and were treated unfairly.
After the December meeting, one of the former firefighters, Nathan Thompson, told media he even filed a police report after he felt he was assaulted by Bader. Floyd County Sheriff Frank Loop said his office investigated but determined the altercation between the chief and Thompson didn't rise to a prosecutorial level.
Now, 17 active firefighters have signed a letter of no confidence directed at the department's leadership. According to one of the firefighters, "a majority of the full and part time membership" signed it. Based on information on the department's website, it appears at least six of Georgetown's firefighters didn't sign the letter.
On Wednesday afternoon, firefighters emailed the letter to the board of directors of Georgetown Township Fire Protection District.
"Under the poor management of Chief Bader, district members have endured a hostile work environment for years that produces poor morale, lack of trust and a staff that is not empowered or valued by the management," the firefighters wrote in the letter.
As board members and the fire chief took care of some run-of-the-mill business at a meeting Wednesday night, firefighters stood in solidarity in the back of the room. Neither the board members nor the chief publicly addressed the letter or growing rift between leadership and staff.
"For (the firefighter who signed the letter) to actually sit up and do that knowing there will be retaliation and wrongful doing toward them, it says a lot," said Matt Gleitz, a fired Georgetown Township firefighter. "I'd be worried if my house was in Georgetown. I mean, all the veteran firefighters are leaving. They're getting new people in here that does not have the training like they used to."
Source: Georgetown Township Fire District
Firefighters aren't sure if they'll lose their jobs as a result of the letter. Despite their disagreement with the chief, the firefighters say they'll continue to provide the community the best protection possible.
"We do not feel the district can move forward and progressively serve the citizens of Georgetown Township under this current culture," the letter concludes. "We have no confidence in the management of Chief Richard Bader Jr. and feel it is time for the Board of Directors to strongly consider a new fire chief to lead the district."
Neither Chief Bader nor his attorney would comment to WDRB News.
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