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Elkhart Fire Merit Commission declines chief's recommended firing; imposes suspension and removes paramedic duties for Lieutenant Jason Lance
Summary
On Aug. 25 the Elkhart City Fire Merit Commission voted 4–1 not to uphold Fire Chief Rodney Dale’s recommendation to terminate Lieutenant Jason Lance, then approved a separate motion to suspend Lance for 30 days without pay, demote him and bar him from paramedic duties permanently.
The Elkhart City Fire Merit Commission on Aug. 25 declined to uphold Fire Chief Rodney Dale’s recommendation to terminate Lieutenant Jason Lance, voting 4–1 in a roll-call vote. The commission then approved a separate motion to suspend Lance for 30 days without pay, demote him and bar him from serving in any paramedic capacity; the commission also strongly recommended counseling.
The initial motion before the commission was to adopt Chief Rodney Dale’s recommendation to terminate Lance. Commissioners cast roll-call votes on that motion: Amber Bressler — No; Jim Rodino — No; Benita Fields Buggs — No; Regina Fultz — Yes; Mandy Lazenby — No. With one yes and four no votes, the motion to uphold the termination failed.
After failing to uphold the chief’s recommendation, the commission discussed alternative discipline. The commission’s finding stated that an appropriate punishment would be to permanently relieve Lance of paramedic duties, impose a 30-day unpaid suspension and recommend counseling. A motion to carry out those penalties — suspending Lance for 30 days unpaid, demoting him and barring him from paramedic duty — was moved and seconded and then approved by voice vote with all members saying “aye.”
Members discussed the case in the context of department rules and precedents. Commissioners said they considered the department’s standard operating procedures, the fire department’s rules and regulations, the employee handbook and the collective bargaining agreement when reaching their decisions. At least one commissioner noted past incidents the board had reviewed and said that those precedents influenced their view of appropriate punishment.
The commission’s action altered the personnel status of Lieutenant Jason Lance but did not adopt the chief’s requested termination. The record shows the commission imposed an unpaid suspension and permanent removal from paramedic duties and recommended counseling; the transcript does not specify follow-up steps for implementing or appealing the commission’s action.
The meeting moved on after the commission finalized its decision.
