Wellington Fire/EMS Chief Tim Robben is placed on administrative leave, paramedic announces resignation publicly
Wellington Fire/EMS paramedic Rebekah Hatch addressed the city council Tuesday night.
By Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Wellington City Manager Jeff Porter confirmed this morning that Fire/EMS Chief Tim Robben had been placed on administrative leave indefinitely, Porter said.
Tim Robben
The move came before the Wellington City Council meeting on Tuesday. The announcement was made on two Wichita television station websites Tuesday evening, but nothing was said during the meeting. Porter told Sumner Newscow this morning that he did not tip off the television stations, and he only confirmed the administrative leave after being asked by television reporters.
Porter said he could not discuss the reason for the administrative leave because it was a personnel issue. He said that he had not designated an acting chief during Robben’s absence. Each assistant chief will be considered the department head during a specific shift.
The Wellington City Council held three executive sessions Tuesday night to discuss personnel issues. Traditionally, the council rarely goes into executive session, let alone go through three. After the third session, the council took no action and quickly adjourned without comment.
This marked another chapter in what a council source says may be the first step toward the end of Robben’s tumultuous tenure as the chief. Robben was hired as the Wellington Fire/EMS Chief in early January.
One of the former Wellington Fire/EMS employees came to the council meeting on Tuesday night to announce her resignation publicly.
Rebekah Harsh, a paramedic, has been with the Wellington Fire/EMS department for seven years.
She stated in her presentation:
“I have made a difficult decision and have put my resignation this Thursday, Feb. 15. Due to social media attention in our department the past six weeks, I wanted to make this statement so the facts can not be misconstrued. My decision to leave is due to the change in the fire department. This department is a dual service which is common for a city this size. Everybody must be dual-certified…
… With the dangers that this job entails, it is critical that we fully trust the officers in command. I currently trust my assistant chief and captain of my shift with my life. Unfortunately, I can no longer put that trust in my fire chief. (Former EMS/Fire) Chief Tim Hay hired me in 2016, he was present in over 400 calls in the last five years. He commanded several large scale scenes where the entire department was needed… In several instances, Hay showed his knowledge and expertise and no one died.
… This department is made up of 19 firefighters, including the fire chief. In just a couple of more weeks, the department will be down to only 13 qualified firefighters and only two of those are paramedics. Assistant chiefs and captains are looking to retire and move to other departments. I can not sit down and wait it out until the time I get a call and my safety is compromised…
… This job revolves around the ‘what ifs’ and worst-case scenarios that we train for constantly. Without the knowledge and training we risk not only our lives, but the lives we are helping. The current situation for the Wellington department is dire. It will inevitably affect the city and the 442 square miles this department serves. I hope something can be done to amend this that has been broken. I am concerned of irreparable damage and the possible future loss of 100 years of experience through retirements and resignations. This kind of loss will take decades to rebuild.”
Harsh said she would consider returning to the department if there is a leadership change.
Wellington City Council member Rick Roitman said her presentation “took a lot of courage.”
