Emotions were strong at the city council meeting last Thursday night when representatives from Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department spoke out regarding the removal of Bruce Mitchell earlier this year from the fire department.
What started out as a prepared statement read by former councilman and longtime fire department member Dean Rahmig, devolved into a shouting match before Councilman Mark Wickard moved to table the discussion until legal counsel could be consulted privately.
Rahmig spoke on behalf of the Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department regarding Mitchell, stating his removal was, “a detriment to the department as Bruce was the most senior, active member with the most knowledge and experience in all aspects of this department” at the time of his removal.The fire department, according to Rahmig, believes that Mitchell was forced off by prior City Administrator Dawn Martin with no cause and no prior disciplinary action. Several members of the department were present, and Rahmig requested the council, at the behest of the entire department, reinstate Mitchell to the fire department with full status. A signed petition was brought to the council table, and it was reported by Trinette Wells that at the last department meeting, a vote was cast by secret ballot and those present unanimously voted to have Mitchell reinstated.
