TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - The Toledo Firefighters Union Local 92 gave a 32-page document to all the members of Toledo City Council as well as Mayor Paula Hicks Hudson explaining the reasons their membership voted that they no longer have confidence in Fire Chief Luis Santiago.
The document gives three key reasons as to why the union no longer trusts Chief Santiago with their safety and includes internal documents to back the claims up.
The first reason given is the results of April's NIOSH report, the federal report showing areas where the fire department was lacking on the day of the fatal fire that killed two Toledo Firefighters.
The second reason is the way Santiago, who was then a Deputy Chief, handled the scene of a fire where a building collapsed on a firefighter back in 2007.
And finally, the union states the Chief tampered with evidence and the investigation into the fire house shootings and bombing back in 2011.
Councilwoman Lindsay Webb was one of the council members to have a meeting with Union President Jeff Romstadt and was given this packet.
She says it didn't surprise her, but she is concerned for safety of crews moving forward.
"My fair read of the facts is that the vast majority of neighborhood firefighters do not support this chief and you have a major breakdown of communications in fire operations and in a paramilitary organization like that that is a recipe for disaster. Each day that passes puts firefighters lives at risk so the mayor needs to make a decision," said Webb.
In another development on Friday, the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association has announced their solidarity with the Toledo Firefighters Union.
TPPA sent a letter urging Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson to reconsider her stance on the matter. The mayor has previously said she has confidence in and supports Chief Santiago.
TPPA's letter to the mayor reads:
"The TPPA stands in solidarity with Toledo Firefighters, who in an historic and unprecedented vote declared no confidence in their Fire Chief. The TPPA hopes that you grasp the significance such a vote carries in a paramilitary operation like Fire. For units like Fire and Police, confidence and trust in those with whom you serve and in your leaders is critical and essential to public safety. When the rank and file lose confidence in their leaders, public safety is jeopardized for citizens and for those on the front line. It would be unwise to summarily dismiss the voice of those who protect and serve."
The mayor responded in a statement saying, "As I have said all along I am taking this matter seriously. My first responsibility is to ensure the public safety of our community and I intend to do that. I have asked a panel to make safety recommendations based upon the NIOSH report."
Tune in to WTOL 11 News at 5 for more.
