Four months after two firefighter/EMTs wrongfully declared an overdose victim as deceased, the Springfield Township trustees took action on one of two top level positions in the fire department, stripping the assistant fire chief of his title.
At the May 7 meeting, the trustees entered into executive session and upon their return, removed David Moore, assistant fire chief, from administrative leave and demoted him to a nonsupervisory position as a firefighter/ paramedic at an hourly pay rate of $29.68.
In April, the trustees terminated the employment of firefighter/EMTs William Fordyce and Aiden Yoon for incorrectly declaring a woman dead. When the coroner’s office arrived after paramedics left, the coroner discovered the victim attempting to breathe.
Their firing came after an investigation by Kent Murphree– a lawyer appointed by the trustees–concluded that the paramedics’ actions constituted a “neglect of duty as it relates to patient care, incompetency and/or grossly negligent or willful breach of standard operating procedures.”
An addendum to the investigation was provided to the Journal by the trustees on May 8.
It details an interview with Moore who acknowledged not being in a good frame of mind, which the investigator said was “understandable given the circumstances surrounding the situation he was facing,” which include the fire chief being out of town, an employee and friend dying and making preparations for the funeral.
Nonetheless, Murphree determined that Moore’s written report was inaccurate due to the date it was written.
Although the substance of the report was accurate, he determined that the assistant chief “did not conduct a thorough or acceptable investigation into the events at issue, which exhibits a substantial failure of leadership.”
As a result, Murphree recommended that Moore “no longer be permitted to hold the position of assistant chief and be demoted to a rank that does not hold supervisory or management responsibility.”
As the investigation was being conducted, trustee Andy Glenn said the focus has been on “learning what went wrong and taking steps to correct those issues immediately.”
He added, “While the assistant chief didn’t receive any guidance or instructions from the fire chief, he was still expected to lead the department. His investigation and leadership after the incident were nowhere near good enough.”
Acting Assistant Chief Andrew Sauder, who took over for Moore, will continue in that position.
The trustees made no decision on the status of Fire Chief Barry Cousino, who remains on leave.
Zoning Report
The trustees set public hearings at 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 21 for two zoning change requests The first is a request to change zoning from RA-3 large lot rural residential to M-1 limited industrial for 2735 South Eber Road.
The second is a change from RA-4 rural residential to C-2 general commercial for parcels at 6518, 6552 and 6604 Nebraska Avenue.
Jacob Barnes, planning director, said both requests were heard by the zoning commission on May 6, and they recommended approval.
He also updated the board on two zoning changes in progress. The department received a request to rezone 8020 Hill Avenue from RA-4 rural residential to R-A suburban residential. The developer plans to construct 52 singlefamily homes. The Lucas County plan commission will hear the request at its May 22 meeting.
In addition, the county plan commission will hear a zoning resolution text amendment change initiated by the trustees for the economic development district, Barnes said.
The planning director concluded his report with the zoning permit summary for April. The department issued 12 permits and collected fees of $570.
Permits were issued for fencing, five; signs, three; accessory structures, two, and deck and pool, one apiece.
He noted that with the onset of warmer weather, business is picking up. “We have quite a few permits in process.”
Other Business
In other business, the trustees:
•Heard from administrator Mike Hampton that letters are being sent to jurisdictions in which the township provides EMS/firefighting services.
The letters inform officials in the Village of Holland and Harding, Spencer and Swanton townships that the trustees would like to meet to re-negotiate the contracts, In the letter, the trustees cite increasing costs, coupled with higher run volumes in the communities. They are asking to meet with jurisdictions to “renegotiate a fair and equitable agreement.”
Trustee Glenn noted that the acting fire chief conducted a cost per run assessment, and “we are significantly undercharging them.”
•Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Lucas County engineer’s office, which outlines the township’s intent to maintain the center island at the roundabout currently under construction at Garden and Albon roads.
•Adjusted the hourly wage for Nellie Ball, fire department office manager, from $28.30 to $30.52.
•Learned that the cost for the pedestrian path over I-475 has gone up in price significantly.
Hampton said the joint economic development zone has offered to pay a portion of the cost and the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments is providing an additional $204,655 for the project.
•Approved a list of companies in which the fiscal officer can issue payments to electronically. Three were added to the list of 44 and are Buckeye Broadband, Auditor of State and Stryker Sales.
•Opted not to request a hearing with the Ohio Division of Liquor Control for a license at Shorty’s Coney Island on McCord Road.
The company is seeking an expanded license that will allow them to serve liquor until 2:30 a.m. Their current license permits the company to serve alcoholic beverages until 1 a.m.
•Paid bills from April 17 to May 7 totaling $149,360. They also made electronic payments from April 12 to May 2 of $404,677 including the biweekly payroll of $260,742.
