The current leadership of our Inver Grove Heights fire department, including the fire chief and her chief staff, has failed to meet the expectations of our community and uphold the standards necessary for the safety and well-being department personnel (firefighters) as well as the citizens of Inver Grove Heights. We believe that it's time for a change in leadership to restore faith and trust in our fire services. Title 5, Chapter 1, Section 2 (D) of the Inver Grove Heights City Code states that the fire chief and her assistant chief staff may be removed by the city council with or without cause.

This is a formal request for Immediate Removal of Inver Grove Heights Fire Department Leadership.

We, the undersigned concerned community stakeholders, formally submit this petition to the Inver Grove Heights City Council to demand the immediate removal of current Inver Grove Heights Fire Department (IGHFD) leadership. The conduct, decisions, and systemic failures under this Chief’s administration, as outlined below, have created a dangerous, unstable, and deeply unprofessional environment that threatens firefighter wellbeing, organizational integrity, and public safety. The severity and breadth of these issues require urgent intervention by the City Council.       

I. Hostile Work Environment

Leadership has created and sustained a workplace defined by bullying, harassment, intimidation, and retaliation. This toxic environment has driven out many of the department’s most qualified and experienced personnel, resulting in the loss of critical operational strength and institutional knowledge. Such conduct is incompatible with the responsibilities entrusted to emergency service leadership and undermines the city’s ability to provide safe and reliable fire and EMS services.

II. Nepotism, Cronyism, and Compromised Hiring Standards

Leadership has repeatedly elevated personal relationships over professional merit. Documented patterns include:

             Lowering or bypassing established hiring and promotional standards
             Favoring unqualified or underqualified individuals
            Undermining fair, merit‑based advancement

            Placing unqualified officers—including Captains and Lieutenants—into supervisory roles they are not trained or prepared to perform

These actions have eroded trust, damaged departmental credibility, and placed personnel and the public at risk through unsafe and uninformed decision‑making.

III. Lowered Education, Experience, and Physical Fitness Standards

Under this administration, essential standards for education, experience, physical fitness, and minimum qualifications have been weakened or ignored. Combined with nepotism and cronyism, this has resulted in:

           Reduced educational and credentialing expectations
           Lowered experience requirements for critical roles
           Weakened physical fitness standards essential for safe emergency response
           Hiring individuals who do not meet minimum operational qualifications
          Advancing unprepared individuals into roles they cannot competently perform

These practices directly compromise firefighter safety and degrade the department’s operational readiness.

IV. Non‑Compliance with ADA Requirements and Retaliation Against Firefighters Seeking Help

Leadership has failed to uphold ADA‑compliant policies and accommodations for firefighters with disability classifications, including those with mental health conditions. This failure has escalated into active retaliation. Under this administration:

       Firefighters who sought mental health support have been bullied, targeted, harassed, and publicly shamed both inside the firehouse and at public             community events, creating a chilling effect intended to deter others from seeking help
       Personnel have been stigmatized and singled out for disclosing mental health concerns
       The absence of ADA‑compliant practices has prevented firefighters from accessing necessary care, worsening conditions and increasing long‑term          risk
       Leadership has weaponized mental health struggles instead of addressing them with professionalism and compassion

This conduct violates federal expectations, ethical obligations, and the city’s duty to protect its employees.

V. Lack of Mental and Physical Health Protocols

Leadership has failed to implement or enforce basic health and safety measures, including:

         Disruptive schedule changes that undermine sleep, recovery, and readiness
         Cross‑contamination hazards, such as allowing work boots inside living areas
         Absence of evidence‑based health protocols for cancer prevention and exposure reduction
         No structured mental health program, leaving personnel without essential support

These omissions represent a profound failure to safeguard firefighter wellbeing and contradict national best practices.

VI. Concerns Regarding Inappropriate Personal Relationships

Reports from personnel and community members raise serious concerns about inappropriate relationships between IGHFD personnel and individuals in partnering agencies. These concerns involve:

         Conflicts of interest
         Perceived favoritism
         Compromised decision‑making
         Erosion of inter‑agency trust

These issues warrant independent investigation due to their potential impact on public confidence and departmental integrity.

VII. Financial Mismanagement and Improper Handling of Department Funds

Significant concerns have been raised regarding bypassing required procurement procedures, including competitive bidding and proper documentation. These practices raise serious questions about fiscal responsibility, transparency, and compliance with city policy.

 

Furthermore, there have been reports from within the department indicating a concerning level of dissatisfaction among the personnel. Morale is reportedly at an all-time low, which only exacerbates the problems faced by our fire services. Many of the highly educated, trained and experienced personnel have left or are actively seeking positions elsewhere, leaving this department in the hands of lesser qualified and poorly trained staff.  It is imperative that the leadership fosters a supportive and effective working environment to ensure optimal performance during emergencies.

For these reasons, we urge the authorities to take immediate action and initiate the removal of the fire chief and her assistant chief staff. We believe that appointing new leadership with a proven record of effective management and commitment to community safety is crucial at this juncture.

We propose a transparent and inclusive process to select new candidates who will prioritize the needs of our community and align the department's goals with those expectations. We need leaders who are not only qualified but also dedicated to fostering trust and positive engagement with our community.

Sign this petition to advocate for a safer future with a fire department that is accountable, efficient, and fully committed to protecting the well-being of our community. Your signature is a step towards ensuring that our fire services are led by individuals who truly have our best interests at heart.