Firefighters (l-r) Kevin Benford (wearing shirt with red sleeves), Louis Brown, and Larry Tillman

Gary Firefighters Local 359 battling fire inside their own house

Contributed By:The 411 News

Standing on the steps of Gary City Hall Tuesday night, members of Firefighters Local 359 announced they have stepped into a different kind of fire – saving the job of a fellow firefighter.

“We’re out here to call attention to the unjust termination of a probationary firefighter. We need help to save one of Gary’s own,” union president Larry Tillman said about the fire within the Gary Fire Department. Louis Brown, just 2 months into his twelve-month probationary period was terminated by Gary Fire Chief Sean O’Donnell at the end of March after the chief learned of a verbal “altercation” between Brown and a store clerk.

That altercation was settled amicably and Brown left the store a satisfied customer, Tillman said.

“The chief has the authority to propose things, even for a probationary candidate, but we think this firing is premature,” Tillman said. “It’s a continuation of complaints the union has had with the chief during the last 2 years for poor management and communication skills, and questionable decisions.”

When Mayor Jerome Prince took office in 2020, Lieutenant O’Donnell was the mayor’s choice for fire chief.

“We’ve been talking to him about issues and nothing is working. If you’re going to be throwing our citizens back into the street without due process, we have a problem with that.”

What should have happened, Tillman said, “… is an investigation should have been held and evidence presented. There is no formal complaint, no police report, only a written note from a person in the store.” Local 359 Vice President Kevin Benford said Chief O’Donnell should have proposed the termination to the Gary Fire Civil Service Commission, “They do the hiring and firing.”

Brown can’t join Local 359 until he completes his probation. Benford said the union became involved when Brown’s training officer asked the union to step in. “The training officer told me that Brown was among the best in the new class of 19 recruits.”

“I told Chief O’Donnell the union would have supported his actions if the probationary officer had been acting crazy and out of line,” Tillman said. “If we’re not going to take care of each other, if we’re not going to give each other a chance, then what do we have.”

About 40 of the firefighters headed inside for the Gary Common Council meeting where union officials and probationary firefighter Brown made an appeal to council members.

President Tillman told the council, "We have had situations like this in the past where people have gotten into trouble during their probationary period, but it was handled by the chief and the individual remained employed."

"This is the first time a person has been let go without a formal complaint and it's new to us all," Tillman said. "We are just trying to work through and get answers as to who should verify or investigate a proposal for termination like the chief has made."

Probationary candidate Brown told the council he was proud to have the support of Local 359 and his classmates though he was embarrassed that his mother, Evangela Brown, had also appeared and asked the council to support him.

Brown said he regretted the words said at the store that day. "I apologized to the store for my actions. I apologized to my classmates. I apologize to the council for having to go through this. I was a janitor before and this job changed my life. I enjoyed the job and the family it brought me into."

Gary Fire Commissioner Juana McLaurin told the council she could "shed some light on the process" and cited a 1988 lawsuit Local 359 filed against the city and won.

"The lawsuit states only the Commission can demote, fire, discharge or suspend," McLaurin said. "The chief can recommend termination to the Commission. We didn't know anything about it until he [Brown] was fired."

Tillman told the council, “We can’t have it where we can haphazardly get rid of people without having some type of formal investigation into a termination, docking, or suspension. Just leaving it up to one individual is kind of scary.”

Because Local 359’s concern is a personnel matter, the council decided to hold an executive session for further discussion. Council Vice President Tai Adkins said a request will be sent to administration officials for their participation. An announcement from the city council indicated the executive session is scheduled for Monday, May 2.

Story Posted:04/21/2022