Dells-Delton EMS staff want the public safety chief removed for ‘toxic environments’ | State and Regional

Former and current employees of Dells-Delton Emergency Medical Service submitted several complaints about Hardman to IAFF Branch President Spencer Nett. Nett stated that after much discussion, they decided not to issue a Vote-of-No Confidence letter. It was signed by all 16 current Dells Delton EMS workers. The letter states that Hardman’s actions have caused morale to plummet.

Monday’s attempts to reach Hardman were unsuccessful.

The Dells Delton EMS serves the city, village, and town of Wisconsin Dells. Other towns include Fairfield, Lyndon and New Haven. The service is managed by the Dells-Delton EMS Commission.

These allegations have been going on for the entire period he’s been with the department, stated Nett. In that time I have seen a lot of staff turnover.

Nett stated that 17 new employees were hired during the past three years. This is just one short of 100 percent staff turnover. Nett did not have data from previous years.

The letter begins with the accusation that Hardman’s attitude towards EMS employees is demeaning. It is further stated that Hardman has made disparaging remarks about EMS staff, including former employees, and has referred emergency responders to each other by disparaging nicknames.

It is part of the overall culture that was developed there, stated Tyler Greenwood, IAFF L5026 Vice president. It has been accepted out of fear of retaliation.

Nett claimed that there have been claims of harassment, discrimination and sexism as well as unwanted physical touching. Nett provided documentation of such complaints, including letters with all identifying information removed.

Greenwood stated that employees have been threatened by losing their paramedic licenses.

Nett stated that the staff made a difficult decision to report those allegations despite fear of retaliation and termination.

Greenwood stated that it felt like a David and Goliath battle up until this week. He said that we were too scared of standing up for what was right. We finally found the strength to do it together and unanimously.

According to the letter Hardman claims to have insulted EMS staff and insisted that his operations are the best for managing situations.

Tyler and I have been discussing the toxic environment and hostile culture created within that organization for quite some time. It took everyone to realize that Tyler and I were not the only ones suffering from this type of maltreatment. It was a service-wide issue.

The letter states that Hardman does not feel obligated to abide to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between staff and Dells-Delton EMS Commission, and that he doesn’t have a boss to answer to. He also allegedly lied to or omitted information regarding the environment and workplace conditions within EMS to the Commission.

The Dells-Delton EMS Commission consists primarily of Tom Diehl, Trustee of Lake Delton, President John Webb and Brian Holzem, Alderpersons Ben Anderson and Brent Gasser (Town of Delton Supervisor) and Dillon Gavinski (Dells-Delton EMS Direct).

Nett and Greenwood stated that Hardman had manipulated the grievance process for employees so that all complaints are directed towards him, even though he is the subject.

When he is the one causing the unacceptable behavior, and tries to stop us from reporting it, then who do we go to? Greenwood said. He has become his own investigator in the investigation of allegations against him. That is why it has reached this point. He won’t let staff go further.

Nett claimed that Hardman removed an oversight system from the commission regarding his authority. He did not allow staff members to attend public session meetings between him and the commission. Nett further stated that he also changed written policies concerning the chain of command, so that complaints could lead to disciplinary action.

Hardman’s desire to use non-trained village personnel to respond to emergency calls was one of the last issues discussed in the letter. Greenwood and Nett explained that Hardman’s idea was to possibly place a non-medically licensed/trained individual in a supervisory position.

Nett stated that the union has tried to foster a positive relationship between employees, administration and management, but it is not possible at this time.

Webb, Gavinski, and Diehl were not reached.