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Another Omaha FD Captain Melt-Down

3 comments

THE OMAHA, NEBRASKA, FIRE DEPARTMENT has been having its problems with fire captains this year.  Back in March they fired Capt. Darren Bates following his arrest in a prostitution sting operation (See Firegeezer report Omaha Fires Its Randy Captain HERE).

The Omaha Fire Chief Mike McDonnell sent out a notice yesterday that Captain John Gruttenmeyer has been suspended with pay since last month and ordered to stay away from all City of Omaha public buildings including fire stations after he allegedly threatened to kill the fire chief.

KMTV Ch. 3 has this video report:

Gruttenmeyer was promoted to captain three years ago and has been on medical leave since June of this year for an undisclosed reason.  He is facing possible termination and also the threat of criminal charges.

This apparently stems from Gruttenmeyer’s unauthorized approach to some local charities offering to assist them in “Fill the Boot”-type fund drives.  These offers were not endorse by either the department or the union local.  Back on September 25th, KETV reported:

Council members voted Tuesday to allow firefighters to take part in “Fill the Boot” events for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. But the American Lung Association and American Heart Association also said they’d like help, too.They wrote a letter to Omaha fire Capt. John Gruttemeyer, who said it’s only fair for every nonprofit organization to benefit from their boot drives.  “Since we’ve been allowed to do this, we might as well jump in with both feet,” he said.

 Gruttemeyer, a 22-year veteran of the Omaha Fire Department, said the city decision could open the door for all kinds of fundraising events.  “Since we can do that now, we can use the rigs and the personnel on duty, there are a lot of worthy causes one can do for it,” he said.

 He said he’s contacted several area nonprofit groups to ask if they’d like the fire department’s help. He said he’s received an enthusiastic response. Council members voted Tuesday to allow firefighters to take part in “Fill the Boot” events for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. But the American Lung Association and American Heart Association also said they’d like help, too.

The Omaha World-Herald has MORE.

Gruttenmeyer has denied that he has ever threatened the fire chief.  Promotional opportunities abound in Omaha.

Also on FireGeezer…

Posted by on November 5, 2009 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, labor • Tagged: , , , ,
  • Danny Fire

    The Fire Chief of Omaha has been running the Dept. almost since he was appointed to the Dept. by his father, a retired Asst. Chief who, his son followed into the Dept. and they were both Union Presidents. Chief McDonnell is the fastest rising Fire Chief in the history of Omaha, In a 13 month period he went from Fire Captain, to Battalion Chief, Asst. Chief, then appointed Fire Chief. He has promoted most of his family and friends to the ranks of Batt. Chief and Asst. Chief. He allows no one to disagree with him or attempt to discredit him, like Capt.'s Bates and Gruttemeyer found out. It's too bad since this was a good Dept. before politics in this petty town took over.

  • Danny Fire

    The Fire Chief of Omaha has been running the Dept. almost since he was appointed to the Dept. by his father, a retired Asst. Chief who, his son followed into the Dept. and they were both Union Presidents. Chief McDonnell is the fastest rising Fire Chief in the history of Omaha, In a 13 month period he went from Fire Captain, to Battalion Chief, Asst. Chief, then appointed Fire Chief. He has promoted most of his family and friends to the ranks of Batt. Chief and Asst. Chief. He allows no one to disagree with him or attempt to discredit him, like Capt.'s Bates and Gruttemeyer found out. It's too bad since this was a good Dept. before politics in this petty town took over.

  • Danny Fire

    The Fire Chief of Omaha has been running the Dept. almost since he was appointed to the Dept. by his father, a retired Asst. Chief who, his son followed into the Dept. and they were both Union Presidents. Chief McDonnell is the fastest rising Fire Chief in the history of Omaha, In a 13 month period he went from Fire Captain, to Battalion Chief, Asst. Chief, then appointed Fire Chief. He has promoted most of his family and friends to the ranks of Batt. Chief and Asst. Chief. He allows no one to disagree with him or attempt to discredit him, like Capt.'s Bates and Gruttemeyer found out. It's too bad since this was a good Dept. before politics in this petty town took over.