PRINCETON, Minn. — Just days after a majority of the crew with the Princeton Fire Department threatened to walk off the job over distrust in department leadership, Chief Ron Lawrence submitted his notice of retirement to the city.
The City Council voted to accept his retirement in a meeting Thursday night.
"After careful consideration, I have decided to retire from the Princeton Fire and Rescue Department effective March 1, 2024," the letter read. "It has been an honor to serve the PFRD for almost 29 years as a firefighter, Captain, Assistant Chief and Fire Chief."
His departure comes after 33 of 36 firefighters signed a vote of no confidence against the chief and presented it to the Princeton City Council. The public criticism of Lawrence came with the request the city terminate Lawrence by Feb. 8, or two-thirds of the department would quit.
Some members of the department told KARE 11 that compromised gear with broken safety features, coupled with a lack of communication and billing issues with the townships they serve, were reasons to call for the chief's ouster.
"It's just been a snowball effect," PFRD Assistant Chief Josh Vaccari said.
"The firefighters don't trust the chief," Vaccari said. "They don't feel safe working for him anymore. And that's why we're putting our foot down. If all those repairs are made and we had a different chief, we would stay."
Vaccari added that citizens are "at risk" if they can't do their job "effectively."
Thursday night, it was standing room only for an emotional city council meeting. Concerned citizens brought up a number of issues, including gear that's been neglected.
Resident Dustin Akers created a petition in support of the firefighters that has garnered over 860 signatures since Jan. 19.
While Lawrence is now retiring, another issue has been brought to the forefront.
"Typically in smaller towns, the fire chief usually acts as an emergency manager role also. For some reason, now they want to create that position for him," Vaccari said.
Mayor Thom Walker responded to those claims, saying, "Whether Ron fills that or not is to be determined. But he will not have anything to do with the fire department."
Vaccari said firefighters will continue with their resignation by Feb. 8 if the new title would allow Lawrence to have any power over the fire department. After Thursday's meeting, Vaccari said it was a step in the right direction but that he would be waiting to see the emergency manager job description which has yet to be formed.
Mayor Walker said about the issues within the department, "The thing that it is more than anything to me is frustrating. Because you start with, these are our problems. You address the problems. Well now these are our problems. And then we address those problems. Eventually, you have to wonder if there’s any solution that’s available or if they’re just going to keep finding new problems."
Vaccari said, "The only thing a firefighter has is trust. Trust in his training, trusting his equipment, trust in each other, leadership. You can take classes and practice your skills You can repair trucks, repair equipment. You can't repair the mistrust from the leadership."
In response to the crew's original vote of no confidence, Princeton city officials hired an outside firm to conduct a workplace assessment, which is just getting underway. Many citizens voiced their concerns over the assessment and the possibility of it costing taxpayers up to $17,000.
The city will be responsible for hiring the next fire chief. Lawrence was not in attendance during Thursday's city council meeting.
"It's been an honor to work with the citizens that we serve," Lawrence's letter read. "I have had great conversations and interactions with the citizens and business owners and the support they have given me and the department has been second to none. I will miss these interactions greatly."
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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