By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• Loveland (Colo.) Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach issued a 40-page written response rejecting claims from the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority board that he committed insubordination and other misconduct ahead of possible termination.
• Sendelbach was placed on paid administrative leave Jan. 28 amid the board’s move to end his contract, according to his response letter.
• The board alleged issues including misinformation to staff, refusal to comply with assignments, and conduct detrimental to operations; Sendelbach contested the claims as unsubstantiated.
• In his letter, Sendelbach said several earlier concerns stemmed from a 2023 complaint and that documentation of prior investigations is lacking.
LOVELAND, CO — Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach has formally responded to the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority board’s notice of intent to terminate his contract, rejecting key allegations and providing detailed rebuttals in a 40-page letter dated Feb. 26.
Sendelbach was placed on paid administrative leave Jan. 28 after the board named a committee to address a personnel issue, and the board subsequently cited “just cause” reasons to seek termination of his leadership.
In his response, the chief denied claims of insubordination, intentional misinformation, withholding financial information, and actions that created division within the organization, asserting that many allegations lack evidence and context.
Sendelbach said several matters referenced by the board originate from concerns raised in 2023 by a former advisory commission chair, and he questioned why documentation of any independent investigation into those issues is absent.
The board also accused the chief of mischaracterizing budget decisions and staffing departures, and of conduct detrimental to board relations; Sendelbach provided his interpretation of events and noted where he believes the record differs from the board’s characterization.
As of Friday, neither the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority board nor city officials had publicly announced further action on the termination process, and an official investigation or decision timeline has not been disclosed.