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Record of Proceedings

Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board Meeting – August 25, 2025

Fire and Police Municipal Board — Monday, August 25, 2025
BodyBaton Rouge, Louisiana
SessionFire and Police Municipal Board
DateMonday, August 25, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:25:21

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:03

I call this meeting of the municipal fire and police civilized board to order.

0:08

We'll ask our secretary to make a roll call, please.

0:12

Yes, sir.

0:12

Mr.

0:13

Michael Lemming?

0:14

Present.

0:14

Mr.

0:15

Edwin Barad?

0:16

Present.

0:16

Mr.

0:17

Bradley Riggs?

0:18

Present.

0:18

Dr.

0:18

Press Robinson?

0:20

Present.

0:20

Attorney Joshua Newville?

0:22

Present.

0:22

Do you have a quorum?

0:24

Thank you.

0:26

Mr.

0:27

China, we have our public comment.

0:29

We're gonna ask that those of you who are here for uh the item on the EMS and uh the fire department matter.

0:38

We're gonna move that up on the agenda.

0:41

And if you will just hold your comments until that time, we would appreciate it very much.

0:47

Otherwise, are there anybody in the audience who has a comment about one of the other items on the agenda here and seeing no one approaching the podium?

1:02

We'll assume there's not uh before we get a motion to approve the agenda, we need to modify the agenda.

1:10

John I I need to add an item on the agenda to add the deputy chief's applicants with the waiver for probational assistant chief to be able to take the test.

1:31

Okay.

1:35

We'll make that um maybe number 12 or 11a, let's call it 11a.

1:52

Okay.

1:53

The second uh amendment to the agenda would be to move the uh motion for summary disposition up to agenda item number four and the public hearing uh following that as agenda item number five, followed by an executive session at this.

2:21

Formula number yeah.

2:24

This is formally number item number 10 there on the agenda.

2:28

So make the motion for consideration of the summary disposition number four to conduct a public hearing at number five, and then have an executive session following that as number six.

2:42

Mr.

2:42

Chair, I'll second that motion.

2:44

I have a motion, I'll I'll move to that effect.

2:50

Thank you.

2:51

Move by Mr.

2:52

Newville.

2:53

Do I have a second?

2:54

Sir.

2:56

Seconded by Mr.

2:58

Lemon.

2:59

Okay.

2:59

All those in favor of this is both motives modifications.

3:03

Uh the gentleman.

3:06

All in favor say aye.

3:08

Aye.

3:08

Aye.

3:09

Opposes nay.

3:10

So I would uh I would say that was the motion to modify the agenda.

3:16

I would do a motion to up to the agenda.

3:18

Yes.

3:19

So now I need a motion to accept.

3:21

Mr.

3:22

Chair, also move.

3:23

Okay, move by Mr.

3:24

Newville.

3:24

Second by Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters█████████████████████████████████33%
Pending Litigation█████████████████████████████29%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Technology and Innovation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board Meeting – August 25, 2025

The Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board met on August 25, 2025, to consider a motion for summary disposition in the termination appeal of Wade Hill, conduct a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the fire chief job description to include an EMS division, and handle routine personnel matters. The board voted to deny the summary disposition motion, tabled the fire chief job description amendment following public comment and executive session, and approved several administrative items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes from the July 28, 2025 meeting.
  • Approved personnel action forms for the Baton Rouge Fire and Police Departments.
  • Accepted test scores for crime statistics (four eligible, two ineligible).
  • Rejected applications: Charlene Brooks (police fingerprint technician 2) due to previous retirement; Matthew McConnell (fire captain) and Reese Wolfe (fire equipment operator) for late submission; Jason Royal (fire equipment operator) due to re-employment probationary status.
  • Approved application of Nathaniel Lee Drum (fire equipment operator) previously excluded in error by the Office of State Examiner.
  • Called for examinations for police fingerprint technician 1 and police sergeant.
  • Received notification of provisional appointment of Assistant Chief Brian Everett to deputy chief pending test results.
  • Accepted applications for deputy chief from Brian Averett, Scott Beale, Derek Jones, and Luke Newman with a waiver for probationary assistant chiefs.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mark Olson (Coalition for EBR EMS) urged the board to vote no or defer the fire chief job description amendment, arguing it violates the parish plan of government and mismatches Title V (city) and Title X (parish) entities.
  • Janice Willard (President, EMS Association) expressed concerns about the premature step, lack of studies, potential loss of civil service protections for EMS employees, and uncertainly about qualifications and testing requirements. She cited examples where fire-EMS mergers failed (e.g., New York).
  • Mike Dunicola (Zachary resident) opposed the change, emphasizing the need for feasibility studies and noting that EMS is a parish entity created by the Metro Council.
  • Jacqueline O'Keefe (former full-time, current part-time EMS employee) questioned the necessity of the change, noting that a chief of emergency medical operations already exists. She highlighted unanswered questions about employee protections and retirement systems.
  • Jake Morgan (President, Baton Rouge Firefighter Association) stated neutrality on the matter.

Discussion Items

  • Motion for Summary Disposition (Wade Hill termination): Attorneys argued over whether the pre-disciplinary notice provided to Hill satisfied due process requirements. Mr. Ivey (for Hill) contended the notice lacked the proposed action (penalty) and specificity on the “violation of laws” charge. Mr. Reigns (for BRPD) argued that Loudermill only requires notice of charges and an opportunity to respond, and the detailed 22-page notice met that standard. The board took the matter under advisement, then later after executive session voted to deny the motion.
  • Public Hearing on Fire Chief Job Description Amendment: The mayor’s office (representative Landigner) explained the proposal is a first step to allow the fire chief to oversee an EMS division, pending further studies. The Office of State Examiner (Adrian Bordelon) clarified that the class plan amendment is necessary to align with state statute (33:2481.1) and that a job study would follow. The fire chief stated he does not envision dual-role requirements and that the change would benefit EMS employees through better pay, advancement, and protections. The board discussed concerns about workload, employee protections during provisional periods, and the need for further analysis. The board voted to table the item and entered executive session to discuss pending litigation (East Baton Rouge EMS Paramedic Association et al. v. Board).

Key Outcomes

  • Motion for Summary Disposition (Wade Hill): Denied unanimously (5-0 vote) after executive session. The board found that the pre-disciplinary notice provided sufficient detail and that the codification discussed did not go beyond Loudermill requirements.
  • Fire Chief Job Description Amendment: Tabled (unanimous vote) pending further discussion in executive session. The board returned to open session and took no further action on the item.
  • All consent calendar items approved as noted above.
  • Next Steps: The board will continue to handle the Wade Hill case on its merits; the fire chief job description amendment may be revisited at a future meeting.

Meeting Transcript

I call this meeting of the municipal fire and police civilized board to order. We'll ask our secretary to make a roll call, please. Yes, sir. Mr. Michael Lemming? Present. Mr. Edwin Barad? Present. Mr. Bradley Riggs? Present. Dr. Press Robinson? Present. Attorney Joshua Newville? Present. Do you have a quorum? Thank you. Mr. China, we have our public comment. We're gonna ask that those of you who are here for uh the item on the EMS and uh the fire department matter. We're gonna move that up on the agenda. And if you will just hold your comments until that time, we would appreciate it very much. Otherwise, are there anybody in the audience who has a comment about one of the other items on the agenda here and seeing no one approaching the podium? We'll assume there's not uh before we get a motion to approve the agenda, we need to modify the agenda. John I I need to add an item on the agenda to add the deputy chief's applicants with the waiver for probational assistant chief to be able to take the test. Okay. We'll make that um maybe number 12 or 11a, let's call it 11a. Okay. The second uh amendment to the agenda would be to move the uh motion for summary disposition up to agenda item number four and the public hearing uh following that as agenda item number five, followed by an executive session at this. Formula number yeah. This is formally number item number 10 there on the agenda. So make the motion for consideration of the summary disposition number four to conduct a public hearing at number five, and then have an executive session following that as number six. Mr. Chair, I'll second that motion. I have a motion, I'll I'll move to that effect. Thank you. Move by Mr. Newville. Do I have a second? Sir. Seconded by Mr. Lemon. Okay. All those in favor of this is both motives modifications. Uh the gentleman. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye.

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