Firefighters Sue City, Bobb for $10 Million

Santa Ana firefighters filed a $10-million suit against the city and City Manager Robert C. Bobb Wednesday, alleging that their civil rights were violated when Bobb required each member of the Fire Department to sign a statement declaring whether they intended to stay with the department or seek other employment.

The declarations were mailed earlier this month to each of the 204 firefighters after the two employee associations representing all non-management personnel placed a newspaper advertisement stating that they were “immediately available for hire” elsewhere. All 204 employees responded to the city’s letter, saying they will remain with the department but were declaring so “under duress.”

Representatives of the Santa Ana Firemen’s Benevolent Assn. and the Firemen’s Management Assn., which is composed of the department’s six battalion chiefs, said they took out the advertisement because they wanted to publicize their frustration with the city’s handling of personnel problems. Alleged problems include unfairly administered and “heavy-handed” discipline, a lack of communication between management and personnel, unclear job requirements and the recent move to an all-civilian paramedic corps, an association spokesman said.

‘Anguish’ Claimed

Attorney Seth Kelsey, who represents the two associations, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, asking that the court award the $10 million in damages, along with court costs and attorney’s fees. The suit states that the declaration, which Kelsey referred to as “a loyalty oath,” caused the firefighters “severe mental anguish and emotional distress” and deprived them of their rights of free speech and association.

Bobb called the lawsuit “frivolous” and said the newspaper advertisement left him no alternative but to gauge how many firefighters were serious about leaving.