{"id":118013,"date":"2025-06-04T16:00:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T20:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=118013"},"modified":"2025-06-07T23:23:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T03:23:54","slug":"firefighters-call-for-leadership-change-to-protect-public-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2025\/06\/04\/firefighters-call-for-leadership-change-to-protect-public-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Firefighters call for leadership change to protect public safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Today, the Fort Wayne Professional Firefighters Local 124 (IAFF124) called for new leadership at the Fort Wayne Fire Department.<\/p>\n

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News release from the Fort Wayne Firefighters Metro IAFF Local 124 Union:<\/p>\n

Firefighters Call for Leadership Change to Protect Public Safety<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fort Wayne, Indiana (June 4, 2024) \u2014 Today, the Fort Wayne Professional Firefighters Local 124 (IAFF124) called for new leadership at the Fort Wayne Fire Department, citing ongoing mismanagement under Fire Chief Eric Lahey that has jeopardized firefighter safety and public emergency response.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to serve Fort Wayne and are grateful for the support of the community,\u201d said IAFF124 President Jeremy Bush. \u201cOver Fire Chief Eric Lahey\u2019s 10-year tenure, safety has been compromised, with firefighters being asked to do more with less. We believe Fort Wayne deserves better. Today, we are calling for leadership that puts public safety first, because every day without change is another day response times suffer, and lives are put at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

IAFF124\u2019s message is clear: when firefighter health and wellness are protected, so is the public. The union is raising concerns that current department leadership has neglected fundamental safety protocols, including proper recovery time for injured firefighters and safe staffing levels at fire stations. Despite Fort Wayne firefighters using two fewer sick days per year than the national average, Chief Lahey has continued to pressure staff to further reduce sick leave, raising serious concerns about burnout and on-the-job safety.<\/p>\n

\u201cChief Lahey has taken fire engines out of service and failed to fill firefighter vacancies in Fort Wayne, leading to understaffing,\u201d said Bush. \u201cThe results are slower response times, increased overtime and greater risk to both our members and the Fort Wayne residents we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Decade of Decline<\/strong><\/p>\n