Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutJFMC February 5, 2026 FIRE MERIT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA Regular Meeting City Council Chambers February 5, 2026 CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting for February 5, 2026, Fire Merit Commission was called to order by Commissioner Spalding at 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted and those present were Commissioners Donovan Sims, Sam Smith, Thomas Spalding, and Missy Gibson-Scully. Troy McCormick was absent. COMMISSION STAFF: Fire Merit Commission Counsel Zach Stewart, Union Vice President Bryan Emerson, Deputy Fire Chief Jason Sharp and Stenographer Cindy Seifert GUESTS: Lance Beard (speaker), Luke Collins, Andrew Conlen, Lukas Coward, Wes Davis, Daniel Frantz, Rusty Hall, Caleb Harris, James Haven, Randy Hollis, Brandon Hopf, Joe Hurt (speaker), David Kaskie, TJ Kiesler, Alexander Knerr, Jeffrey Lovan, Kevin Michalak, Isaiah Middleton, Dakota Novak, Justin Raley, Justin Rich, Peyton Settles, John Smedal, Nick Stone,Josh Thompson, Kendal Wiley (speaker), Cameron Wolfe and Anne Langley MINUTES: Commissioner Smith made the motion to approve the minutes from January 8, 2025, seconded by Commissioner Sims, passes on a vote of 4-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Commissioner Sims made the motion to approve the Agenda, seconded by Commissioner Gibson-Scully, passes on a vote of 4-0. CLAIMS: None NEW BUSINESS: PUBLIC HEARING ON AMENDMENT 2026-01: EXPERIENCED FIREFIGHTER LIST Attorney Stewart advised that everyone has been provided a copy of the proposed Amendment with attached exhibit. He advised the Commissioners they could make comments regarding the proposed Amendment and then listen to public comments or listen to public comments first. Commissioner Spalding opened the Public Hearing— Bryan Emerson, Union Vice President, read a statement from Union 558 "My name is Bryan Emerson, and 1 am the VP of Jeff Firefighters Local 558. I'd like to read a statement on behalf of our executive board, and our over 100 active and retired members. We strongly oppose the move to create a second hiring list. The board voted unanimously, and an online poll of our members showed zero "yes"votes when asked if they were in support of this proposal. The Local is proud that our city decided in 2010 that all candidates and firefighters should receive equal treatment through hiring, promotional, and disciplinary processes. I Page 1 of 4 Tonight's proposal, while well intended,sacrifices the integrity of the hiring process for minimal gain. It is the belief of the Local that those gains can be made in areas that do not make that sacrifice. In fact, in our latest CBA, the Local removed the minimum required training time for probationary firefighters that already held the required certifications. We did this voluntarily in an effort to help our city streamline the process for candidates, hired through our existing process, that met department and state standards. It is not change that the Local opposes,but change that opens the door to take us back to a time where firefighters have to ask themselves if the firefighter next to them was hired because they were the best candidate or because they could save the City time and money." Lance Beard, read a personal statement: "Good evening. Thank you for giving me a moment to speak about an issue that could negatively shape the future of our department. On the surface, this idea might seem efficient. But when we look closer, it becomes clear that creating a separate list would do more harm than good for our department,for our culture, and for our long-term success. First, a separate list undermines fairness and transparency in our hiring process. We've worked hard to build a system where every candidate whether brand new or seasoned competes on equal footing. When we split applicants into different categories, we introduce inconsistency and open the door to questions about favoritism, bias, and unequal standards. That damages trust, both inside the department and in the community we serve. Second, this approach weakens the quality of our hiring decisions. Experience alone does not guarantee that someone is the right fit for our department. Skills, attitude, teamwork, adaptability these matter just as much as years on the job.A separate list risks prioritizing experience over overall suitability. We could end up overlooking outstanding candidates simply because they're newer to the fire service, while fast-tracking others who may not align with our expectations or culture. Third, a separate list threatens the cohesion of our department. When firefighters are hired through different pathways, with different standards and different expectations, it creates divisions before they even walk through the door. We should be building a unified team one where every member knows they earned their place through the same process, the same testing, and the same evaluation. Finally, this proposal sends the wrong message about what we value. If we want to attract strong candidates, we should emphasize merit, performance, and potential not just prior experience. Our department has always taken pride in developing firefighters, not just acquiring them.A separate list shifts us away from that. In closing,creating a separate experienced firefighter hiring list may seem like a shortcut,but it ultimately weakens fairness, complicates hiring, risks cultural division, and undermines the standards that make our department strong. One list one process ensures we hire the best people for the job, not just the most experienced. Thank you." Kendal Wiley, Probational Firefighter, read a personal statement: "My name is Kendal Wiley,and I'm one of the 5 current probationary firefighters for Jeffersonville Fire Department and currently serve at Station 1. Becoming a firefighter for Jeffersonville has been the best experience in my life. I have learned valuable skills and knowledge that have prepared me to respond to the many different medical,fire, and other emergency situations our community faces daily. The other members of the department have embraced and come alongside me to ensure that I become the best version of myself and serve this city properly and proudly. I say that to say this: I do not have a background in fire. I did not serve on another department prior to joining Jeffersonville nor did I have any experience or connections within the department. I placed high on the current Applicant list and was selected once a vacancy needed to be filled. Page 2 of 4 This proposal of a separate experienced firefighter list will stand as a roadblock for future applicants in my shoes who want to serve this city but have no prior fire experience. The language in this proposal is dangerous because it creates a subjective perception of when it would be appropriate to hire from the experienced list instead of the general applicant list. There is no framework in this proposal that would guarantee the current applicant list would ever be used again if this proposal is approved. The language states the reasons the list would be used is "manpower shortage, significant budget shortcomings, and too few of recruits to justify a full academy class". Each one of these points is subjective in nature and paves the way to never use the current list again. Our Academy class this year graduated 4. Three from Jeffersonville and one from Clarksville.Some might say that would be too few under this new proposal. Later the proposal also says when a vacancy in the department occurs, the Fire Chief will submit a written request to choose from either the experienced list or the current applicant list. This allows whoever is the current chief to choose which applicants he/she wants to hire without guidelines. I will end by saying this: On the current list we have several firefighters from other departments. We hired two of them this year because they tested and interviewed well. It is my personal opinion that an experienced firefighter who is passionate about the job can go through our process currently and place high on the list without a separate experienced list. I implore you that if there is a vote on this tonight that you do not move forward with this list. Thank you for your time and attention." Joe Hurt, Captain, made a personal statement, advising that he was hired under the 15t Fire Merit Applicant Eligibility List, he has been promoted to Captain through the Fire Merit Promotional process. He started the Department with no prior experience. He did have experience as an Emergency Room Nurse, but feels he may not have been hired had there been an experienced list to choose from. He rises in opposition to an Experienced Firefighter List. Having no more public comments, Commissioner Spalding closed the Public Hearing. Commissioner Spalding stated that he would like to take the comments under advisement and table until all Commissioners are present to vote. Attorney Stewart advised that the Commission can table until next month, but advised that if approved,the rule change would not take effect until 30 days after the vote. That the timeline, if the board was to approve the rule change, would not be available for 2026 hiring process if it goes beyond March 5, 2026, meeting. Commissioner Spalding made the motion to table until the March meeting, seconded by Commissioner Gibson- Scully, passes on a vote of 4-0. Attorney Stewart asked Bryan Emerson of the Union if there were any changes to the proposed rule change that the Union would make the change favorable. Emerson responded no, that they are not in favor of two lists. Attorney Stewart asked if the Union was favorable of the Experienced Police Officer hiring list, Emerson answered no, echoed by the gallery of firefighters. Emerson stated again,that the Union is in favor of one hiring list. APPLICATION AND PROMOTIONAL DEADLINES FOR 2026 TESTING Attorney Stewart advised that Anne Langley will be sending a proposed timeline of the applicant and promotions process for this year. Since there are two members that have not been through a applicant or promotions cycle, they need to be aware of the time required. Please review the timeline and be prepared at the next meeting to finalize dates. I Page 3 of 4 ATTORNEY REPORT: No Report REPORT FROM LOCAL 558 UNION: No Report REPORT ADMINISTRATION: Deputy Chief Sharp requested that the Union present a list of concerns that the Administration could review to make the Experienced Firefighter List more favorable. Fire Union Vice President Emerson restated that the Union does not endorse two hiring lists. FIRE MERIT COMMISSION COMMENTS: Commissioner Spalding stated that he appreciates the large turnout and the comments provided by the firefighters. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Commission, Commissioner Sims made the motion to ADJOURN, seconded by Commissioner Spalding, passes on a vote of 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:22 P.M. APPROVED 4 -77(Troyick, President Re ctfully Sub it ed by: Cindy eifert, Stenographer Page 4 of 4