By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• About 60 residents and staff from the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority gathered at Fire Station 1 in Loveland, Colorado, Tuesday to publicly support Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach.
• The demonstration occurred ahead of a scheduled meeting between Sendelbach and the LFRA board regarding the board’s intent to terminate his employment.
• Supporters, including Local 3566 union members, held signs and wore shirts in favor of the chief’s continued leadership.
• Sendelbach, who has been on administrative leave since Jan. 28, spoke with the board and expressed cautious optimism the board could reach a resolution.
• The board has five days after the meeting to make a decision about Sendelbach’s employment status.
LOVELAND, CO — Around 60 community members and Loveland Fire Rescue Authority staff assembled outside Fire Station 1 Tuesday morning to show support for Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach ahead of his meeting with the LFRA board to discuss the board’s intent to terminate his position, officials and local media reported.
The demonstration occurred as Sendelbach, who has been on administrative leave since late January, prepared to discuss the board’s concerns and present his responses to its termination notice during a scheduled meeting, according to local reporting.
Supporters, including members of Local 3566 — the firefighters’ union — held signs and wore shirts with messages backing the chief’s leadership and advocating for his reinstatement at the authority’s downtown fire station.
In remarks after the meeting with the board, Sendelbach said he remained cautiously optimistic about the possibility of resolution and said he had addressed the board’s concerns in a detailed response.
The LFRA board has up to five days following the meeting to make a decision regarding Sendelbach’s employment, and a special session is set to address possible action on the matter.