Rick Dirr, Nederland Fire Chief. First and foremost, it has been an incredible privilege to serve this community, the development of friendships with many of you, the intimacy of sharing loss and the opportunity to provide care, reassurance and humor when appropriate.

Now that the intent of at least some of the Board members to fire me is clear, it would appear I have a brief stay of execution, and an opportunity for you to express your opinion in the matter. Perhaps more globally if whether the new Board is in fact representing your intent or a personal agenda of constant fault finding, narcissistic grandstanding and division within the Department and community.

Frankly, the deviation in the agenda, from an intent by majority vote to terminate my employment into dissolving a contract, establishment of work performance plan and opportunity to reestablish trust is incredibly promising and surprising. I am profoundly grateful, clearly accepting ownership for the issues I have created and desire to correct those issues. However, it is equally distressing, as you saw in the “safety investigation”, no ultimate findings, no impartial investigators, and most importantly no report of or open discussion of the other numerous safety failures by others that occurred on that call, but rather a devolvement into the many personal opinions regarding myself. It is my opinion that based on the bias of the recent board election and endless accusations, that you would not be surprised to find an upcoming accusation that I am not listening to my Board President or following my work plan. 

While I will not question the Board, staff or volunteers’ commitment to serve the community, their recent actions are incredibly concerning, at least to me. In spite of multiple type “A” personalities common in the fire service, what I typically see is a commitment to performance as a team, positive response and willingness to receive supervision and a profound sense of commitment to a system that serves versus personal opinion.  

What I have seen develop over time a Nederland Fire is complete lack of respect for the Chief’s opinion, ability to entertain perspective, priority of mission or willingness to follow chain of command. My decision to involve my daughter in the junior firefighter program, while clearly knowing former Board support, but without seeking support of operational staff was clearly a misstep. Missing from comment were the accolades regarding two former junior members whom I personally mentored, one becoming a career firefighter the other a pediatric ICU nurse. 

My daughter has been functionally raised at the Department. She has been certified in BLS CPR since age 10. Has been raised in a household of healthcare providers and is well acquainted with rules regarding patient privacy. She is not welcome, even when under my direct supervision.  

While I will say that some of the recent changes being implemented may have merit,  I cannot accept that outright lies, personal attack, contempt, theatrical  drama, and a commitment to any means necessary is the way that change is to be achieved. The manner in which these goals are achieved will likely have profound personal, organizational and community consequences. The environment of “we will just stay on him until he leaves”, unbearable, nearly every other day, another allegation, well publicized, poorly substantiated and at great consequence to me and my family.

Ironically my request for Board help in addressing an employee’s insubordination predates many of my alleged (and well publicized) and refuted (less well publicized) misconducts. The fact that while these allegations contained multiple proven false statements and slander, no corrective or documented disciplinary action to my knowledge, but rather a stern verbal warning. The release of incident information to the media without Chief’s approval, a clear violation of policy, apparently a protected action if among the Board’s chosen, just one example of how the current Board is serving. 

I have openly stated that “it is up to God if I will continue to serve Nederland or some other community.” Among friends I refer to these as my “Book of Job” years. It is in fact this reassurance and surrender that have allowed me to continue during this time of personal and family attack. 

What I do appreciate are the thoughts, prayers and positive comments by many of you. As for the times that my conduct poorly represented your desire in me as leader of this organization, you have my apology. Indeed, some of my comments were wrong, disrespectful, embarrassing on a personal level and as a failure to represent the values I claim to espouse.  

In reality I don’t know how this story will end, but thus far I appreciate your willingness to allow myself, Kate, and briefly our daughter Lauren to have served this community. 

It would appear now is the time for you to extend your opinions, the NFPD Boards of Directors can be emailed at Board@NFPD.org.

(Originally published in the October 15, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)