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Record of Proceedings

Fitchburg EMS District Commission Meeting - June 3, 2026: Grievance Decision on Lieutenant Christy Schnabel's Termination

Common Council & City Boards — Wednesday, June 3, 2026
BodyFitchburg, Wisconsin
SessionCommon Council & City Boards
DateWednesday, June 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 6:02

Original source
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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:12

Good evening.

0:13

I'd like to call to order this meeting of the Fitcherona EMS District Commission.

0:19

Today is June 3rd, 2026.

0:22

The meeting is being held at Fitchburg City Hall, Francis Huntley Cooper Council Chambers.

0:29

Roll call.

0:29

I'd like to ask the clerk to conduct the roll call.

Speaker 2

0:34

My pleasure.

0:35

Alison Kirk.

Speaker 1

0:37

Here.

Speaker 2

0:38

Daniel Schultz.

0:39

Here.

0:40

Jake Leper?

0:41

Here.

0:42

Mary.

0:44

Winkers.

Speaker 3

0:45

Here.

Speaker 2

0:46

Patrick Lytle.

0:47

Here.

0:47

Stephen Fusco?

Speaker 1

0:49

Here.

Speaker 2

0:49

David Lonsdorf?

Speaker 1

0:51

Here.

Speaker 2

0:51

Chief Anderson.

0:54

Deputy Chief Dostelick.

0:57

And myself, Deputy Chief Handers.

Unassigned speaker

1:00

All

Speaker 1

1:00

right.

1:00

Let the record reflect that a quorum is present.

1:04

The next agenda item is a discussion and possible action concerning the grievance of firefighters local 311 pertaining to the employment termination of Lieutenant Christy Schnabel.

1:16

This matter is before the Commission at step two of the grievance procedure under Article 7.06 of the collective bargaining bargaining agreement between the Fitzerona EMS district and the firefighters local 311.

1:30

This is not an evidentiary hearing.

1:32

No sworn testimony will be received.

1:36

Rather, it is an opportunity for the union and Lieutenant Schnabel to present the grievance to the commission pursuant to step two of the party's grievance procedure.

1:47

Will the representatives for firefighters local 311 identify themselves for the record?

Unassigned speaker

1:53

Attorney Martin Coom for the Union.

Speaker 1

2:01

Yeah, I think you might have to use the microphone.

Speaker 3

2:17

Attorney Martin Kuhn for the union.

2:19

Secretary Treasurer Pete Friedrichs for the Union.

Unassigned speaker

2:22

Pete

Speaker 1

2:23

Friedrich, sorry.

2:24

Thank you.

Unassigned speaker

2:30

I'm here.

Speaker 3

2:31

All right.

Speaker 1

2:32

She is here.

2:33

Will the representatives for the district identify themselves?

Unassigned speaker

2:40

All right.

Speaker 1

2:40

Can one of you say that into the microphone?

2:43

All

Unassigned speaker

2:43

right.

Speaker 4

2:47

Brandon Ryan, Union Steward for Fitroni

Speaker 1

2:50

MS.

2:51

Brandon Ryan.

2:52

Thank

Unassigned speaker

2:53

you.

Speaker 1

2:55

All right.

2:56

Let's see.

2:58

Lieutenant Schnabel was provided written notice of her right under Wisconsin statute sections 19.85, parenthesis 1, parenthesis B to require this matter to be discussed in open session.

3:11

The chair notes for the record that no request for open session was received.

Unassigned speaker

3:16

Is

Speaker 1

3:16

that correct?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
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Summary of Proceedings

Fitchburg EMS District Commission Meeting - June 3, 2026

Overview

The Fitchburg EMS District Commission convened on June 3, 2026, at Fitchburg City Hall, Francis Huntley Cooper Council Chambers, to discuss and act on a step-two grievance filed by Firefighters Local 311 regarding the employment termination of Lieutenant Christy Schnabel. The meeting included roll call, a closed session, and a vote to deny the grievance.

Roll Call and Attendance

Commission members present: Alison Kirk, Daniel Schultz, Jake Leper, Mary Winkers, Patrick Lytle, Stephen Fusco, David Lonsdorf. Also present were Chief Anderson, Deputy Chief Dostelick, and Deputy Chief Handers. A quorum was declared.

Discussion Items

Grievance of Firefighters Local 311 (Lieutenant Christy Schnabel Termination)

  • The commission opened the grievance hearing under Article 7.06 of the collective bargaining agreement. No sworn testimony was taken; it was a presentation opportunity for the union and Lieutenant Schnabel.
  • Representatives for the union: Attorney Martin Kuhn (misidentified initially as Attorney Martin Coom) and Secretary Treasurer Pete Friedrichs.
  • Representative for the district: Brandon Ryan, Union Steward for Fitchrona EMS.
  • The chair noted that Lieutenant Schnabel was provided written notice of her right under Wisconsin statute §19.85(1)(b) to require an open session; no such request was received.
  • A motion was made and seconded to convene in closed session for discussion of the grievance (Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(b)). The commission voted unanimously to enter closed session.
  • After returning to open session via roll call vote (all ayes), the commission heard a motion to deny the grievance on the grounds that Lieutenant Schnabel does not meet the minimum qualifications for the paramedic position due to her lack of insurability. The motion was seconded.

Key Outcomes

  • Vote on Grievance Motion: The motion to deny the grievance passed with 6 ayes (Daniel Schultz, Alison Kirk, Jake Leper, David Lonsdorf, Patrick Lytle, Stephen Fusco), 0 noes, and 1 abstention (Mary Winkers).
  • Next Steps: Attorney Troy Thompson was instructed to prepare a written step-two decision within 14 calendar days, consistent with the commission's decision, as required by Article 7.06 of the collective bargaining agreement.
  • Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I'd like to call to order this meeting of the Fitcherona EMS District Commission. Today is June 3rd, 2026. The meeting is being held at Fitchburg City Hall, Francis Huntley Cooper Council Chambers. Roll call. I'd like to ask the clerk to conduct the roll call. My pleasure. Alison Kirk. Here. Daniel Schultz. Here. Jake Leper? Here. Mary. Winkers. Here. Patrick Lytle. Here. Stephen Fusco? Here. David Lonsdorf? Here. Chief Anderson. Deputy Chief Dostelick. And myself, Deputy Chief Handers. All right. Let the record reflect that a quorum is present. The next agenda item is a discussion and possible action concerning the grievance of firefighters local 311 pertaining to the employment termination of Lieutenant Christy Schnabel. This matter is before the Commission at step two of the grievance procedure under Article 7.06 of the collective bargaining bargaining agreement between the Fitzerona EMS district and the firefighters local 311. This is not an evidentiary hearing. No sworn testimony will be received. Rather, it is an opportunity for the union and Lieutenant Schnabel to present the grievance to the commission pursuant to step two of the party's grievance procedure. Will the representatives for firefighters local 311 identify themselves for the record? Attorney Martin Coom for the Union. Yeah, I think you might have to use the microphone. Attorney Martin Kuhn for the union. Secretary Treasurer Pete Friedrichs for the Union. Pete Friedrich, sorry. Thank you. I'm here. All right. She is here. Will the representatives for the district identify themselves? All right. Can one of you say that into the microphone? All right. Brandon Ryan, Union Steward for Fitroni

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