By Derek Spellman

dspellman@joplinglobe.com

RACINE, Mo. — The chief of the Seneca Area Fire Protection District was fired Saturday, prompting the deputy chief and at least two lieutenants to resign in protest.

During a contentious meeting Saturday, some firefighters alleged that board members ousted the chief because he sought to hold them accountable to department policies and the state’s open meeting law.

Roy Lankford, president of the district’s three-man board, said they voted to terminate Chief Michael Steele in closed session Saturday following citizen complaints about Steele. Lankford alleged Steele violated district policies, although he declined to give specifics on those violations or on the complaints, citing personnel laws.

The board’s unanimous decision led to public resignations by Lts. James Wilson and Justin Weston, who challenged the board’s allegations against Steele. Before their resignation, the department had four lieutenants.

“I firmly believe that letting Mike go is a bad decision,” Weston told the board.

Weston alleged the board violated Missouri open meetings laws by failing to properly post public notices and improper use of exemptions allowing closed sessions.

Reprisal alleged?

Deputy Chief Kyle Bridges also resigned after the meeting.

Bridges, who also acts as the department’s personnel manager, had openly criticized the board’s decision and alleged it was a reprisal for Steele trying to get the board to comply with Missouri’s open meetings laws.

Bridges echoed concerns raised by Weston. He also claimed the board failed to put together a formal budget and to produce monthly financial statements showing revenues and expenditures prior to Steele’s being named chief.

“Mike is the first fire chief that has held you guys accountable,” Bridges told the board.

Steele also said he was not aware of any complaints against him.

“I regret that this happened this way, and I’m saddened for the public, because where does this leave the public at this time?” Steele said after the meeting.