UPDATE: Stratmoor fire volunteers want chief fired
Thirteen volunteer firefighters with the Stratmoor Hills Fire Department sent a letter to the Stratmoor Hills Fire Board, calling for the immediate termination of Fire Chief Troy Rotramel.
In the letter, the firefighters say they have no confidence in the chief’s ability to lead. They cite concerns about racist, sexist and degrading comments allegedly made by the chief and say Rotramel has shown up to fire scenes intoxicated.
“We’ve had enough with what’s going on. It’s endangering our members and our community,” volunteer firefighter Joshua Leyerle said.
Volunteer firefighter Ethan Grimes said when he responded to a fire in August with Rotramel he smelled alcohol on the chief’s breath. He reported it to his superiors but said no action was taken.
“You’re held to a higher standard because you’re in that position. If you want to drink more, then you should accept a lesser position. But the thing is, you knew the protocols, you knew the job requirements and you knew the standard you were being brought up to,” said Grimes.
Leyerle said firefighters resigned because the chief is risking their lives.
“He is running people out of here. People don’t feel safe. When they are responding to calls that are toned out and he is responding from his house, we don’t know if he is going to be intoxicated. It’s a very scary thing for us on scene,” said Leyerle.
The letter also accused Rotramel of making derogatory comments and ignoring requests for him to stop.
“It’s almost impossible to sit down and have a conversation with him without feeling uncomfortable or something derogatory has been said. It’s very inappropriate even before you first cup of coffee. It’s very common, too common,” said firefighter Jenae Kelly.
Firefighter Jacob Masias said firefighters have expressed their concerns to the assistant fire chief, the fire board and Rotramel but no action has been taken. The group decided to make their complaint public hoping it will put pressure on the board to terminate Rotramel.
“We try our best to protect ourselves but when there is nothing being done, this is the last resort,” said Jacob Masias.
KRDO NewsChannel 13 spoke to Rotramel on the phone, but he declined to comment on the letter, stating he had not seen it yet.
