Demotion of Salt Lake Fire Marshal Overturned

Posted by: Curt Varone May 21, 2017 0

The Salt Lake City Civil Service Commission has overturned the demotion of Fire Marshal Martha Ellis, finding that the city wrongly demoted her in last year.

Chief Ellis was demoted from battalion chief to captain for an “apparent lack of engagement with [her] current assignment, a lack of ownership of [her] job responsibilities, an inability or unwillingness to follow instructions and a lack of respect for [her] chain of command.” The Civil Service Commission disagreed, and ordered her restored to the rank of battalion chief.

It is unclear how the ruling will impact Chief Ellis’ pending lawsuit against the city, Mayor Jackie Biskupski, and three chief officers, former Chief Brian Dale, Fire Chief Karl Lieb and Deputy Chief Robert McMicken. The suit alleges whistleblower retaliation, sex discrimination, and sexual harassment. It is also unclear how the ruling will impact the city’s decision to terminate Chief Ellis earlier this year.

According to a prepared statement from Chief Ellis:

  • “Despite substantial evidence supporting my claim, the city has continued to double down on the inconsistent position that the three chiefs, former Chief Brian Dale, Fire Chief Karl Lieb and Deputy Chief McMicken, have taken against my character.”
  • “This has felt like nothing more than a personal attack on me and my efforts to advance within the Salt Lake City Fire Department.”

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
© Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved. | FireLawBlog.com & Curt Varone | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
x

Check Also

Virginia Firefighters Seek $1.5 Billion from PFAS Companies

Six Virginia firefighters and the estate of a deceased firefighter have filed suit against 25 companies associated with per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) seeking $1.5 Billion in damages. The named lead plaintiff in the action is Sara P. Chiaverotti, wife of Virginia Beach Fire Captain Matthew Chiaverotti who died from anaplastic thyroid cancer last year.

Rochester Firefighter Claims Domestic Violence and Gender Discrimination

A Rochester firefighter who claims to have been the victim of domestic violence and sexual harassment at work, has filed suit against the City of Rochester. The firefighter, identified as Jane Doe, claims that the city failed to protect her from domestic violence as required by state law and city policy, and that she was sexually harassed by coworkers at work.