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Good Morning. Thank you all for coming. My name is JeffRomstadt. I am the President of Toledo Firefighters Local 92.

490 men and women make up Local 92. Local 92 acts on behalf of and speaks for the 490 firefighters making up this proud local.

Nearly 100 years ago Local 92 was established. Its purpose then and its purpose today is to protect, represent and act on behalf of the men and women of this Department; putting safety first so that the men and women who protect and serve are able to go home at the end of their shift.

In Local 92's 100 year history we have faced countless battles with the City. From conditions that culminated in the events of 1979, to layoffs, the elimination of minimum staffing and Senate Bill 5. No matter the disagreement not until today has the confidence in the-Eire-Ghief.Q~c:p_guestfgned. ·

The men and women of this Local demanded this vote. They know its significance. This vote is the first of its kind in the City. It is historical and unprecedented but necessary given the lack of accountability, failure of leadership and an unwillingness to put safety-for Toledo citizens and firefighters--first.

365 firefighters voted on whether they have lost confidence in Chief Santiago making this one of the highest turnouts in Local 92 history. More firefighters cast no confidence votes than cast votes on the most recent contract. That proves safety is more important than all other issues including: wages, health care, pension or job security. Safety matters.

The votes have been counted and the result is overwhelming. The men and women of Toledo Fire have expressed their lack of confidence in a loud ... clear .... and unified voice. Toledo Firefighter's have loudly declared: NO confidence in Fire Chief Luis Santiago.

Local 92 Press Release

May 20, 2015

Fax: 419-244-2795 Phone: 419-244-8129

Toledo Firefighters Local 92 714 Washington Street

Toledo, Oh 43604

cc: Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson City Council Donato Iorio

Firefighter lives matter.

The men and women of Toledo Fire have spoken. They respectfully request that Chief Santiago resign. If this Chief cares about this Department, about the City and most importantly about the men and women who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty then he will abide. Should he refuse Local 92 will continue the fight because:

A paramilitary operation like Toledo Fire.jequires those who put their lives on the line to trust and have confidence in those next to them and in their leaders. When confidence is lost, safety is compromised and change necessary.

Eliminating the EAP coordinator, 24 hour Safety Officer and a 4th Ladder Truck; Deploying manpower in an unsafe and imprudent manner; Insistinfon.aparamedic program that led toth~~li;;;ination of the 1 officer to 1 probationary firefighter practice; Managing through retaliation and bullying; ,

-~-···· ········· ··---------····~·-········ . I While under oath covering up a command decision that led to the serious injury of \ .> a Toledo Firefighter and the near fatality of othet_~; Mishandling the 2011 station house bomb1 and shootings including not warning the rank and file and failing to preserve evidence

The body's no confidence in Chief Santiago stems from far more than the NIOSH report. Chief Santiago's tenure has been marked by a profound lack of leadership, accountability, skill and above all else failure to put firefighter safety first. That is the reason this historic vote was called. The reasons are abundant and include:

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