Valpraiso Fires Fire Chief After Secret Session

Support for the Chief

The commission’s unanimous decision did not reflect the mood of the firehouse personnel. All five lieutenants in the department wrote an open letter to the commission in October voicing their unqualified support for the embattled chief.

“Chief Lanier was appointed at a time when the department was in need of stability, direction, and effective leadership,” The letter explained. “Prior to his appointment, the department faced challenges, including outdated equipment such as bunker gear. Since taking command, Chief Lanier has worked diligently to address these issues, ensuring that our department’s needs are addressed within reason. Most, if not all, requests have been heard and acted upon because Chief Lanier recognizes the importance of providing the best possible service to Valparaiso’s citizens. 

We have witnessed Chief Lanier dedicated countless hours – Often well beyond beyond his required duties –  working tirelessly to ensure our department remains functional and professional he has even spent nights at the fire station to provide additional staffing when needed to chief linear leads with fairness respect and compassion he is a leader who believes in second chances while also holding his senior staff and firefighters to high standards of conduct and performance.”

Our department in our city are [sic] fortunate to have Chief Lanier’s leadership, regardless of the external opinions or media betrayals. We stand firmly behind him. Chief Lanier has supported this department, and in turn, we stand united in our support of him.”

David Rodriguez, firefighter at the center of the N-word controversy, fired as well. 

The commission also decided to terminate David Rodriguez, the other member of the fire department on paid administrative leave. Rodriguez, along with a horde of electronic communications and another firefighter, former Valparaiso engineer Larry Hudson, accused the Chief of using the N-word. The City Commission ultimately decided to suspend Lanier without pay for a week following the incident. 

Lieutenants repeatedly wrote up Rodriguez for behavioural issues at the firehouse, for encouraging other firefighters to quit the department, and for missing a training session. Ultimately, the Lieutenants recommended terminating Rodriguez, and the Chief concurred. 

The City of Valparaiso hired employment law firm Coppins Monroe to investigate the situation and to render a recommendation to the commission. The firm concluded that, “even if a retaliatory move existed for either Lieutenant Miro’s recommendation (for which there is no compelling evidence) or for Chief Lanier’s decision to accept the recommendation and terminate Rodriguez, we conclude that Rodriguez nonetheless engaged in conduct and misconduct that supports and justifies his termination as an at-will/probationary employee. Rodriguez is protected activity does not immunize him from being fired for these reasons.”