Collierville Fire and Rescue’s Chief John Selberg was "caught completely off guard" when he was placed on administrative leave and concerns were raised about his job performance, according to a response letter addressed to city administrator Molly Mehner.
Selberg was placed on paid administrative leave Aug. 10 due to a “personnel matter,” according to the Town of Collierville.
A Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen special-called meeting to discuss his “employment status” was postponed Aug. 14 and has not yet been rescheduled.
Selberg wrote the response letter to Mehner Aug. 7, which was obtained by The Commercial Appeal through an open records request,
explaining his surprise at the board's dissatisfaction in the direction of the fire department under his stewardship.
Throughout the letter, Selberg referenced a July 31 meeting between Meher and him, and outlined his responses to her concerns about various issues within the department ranging from morale to daily operations.
In the letter, Selberg said he hoped Mehner would reconsider going in a "different direction" regarding his position as fire chief.
Mehner releases comments on issue
Mehner released a letter on Aug. 19 that was going to be read at the now postponed Aug. 14 special called meeting, which the Commercial Appeal obtained.
Mehner wanted to make clear Selberg's employment issue is "not a personal issue" between her and Selberg, but stems from a departmental and operational concern.
“What has brought us to this point is a fundamental lack of understanding and professionalism that challenges the very structure of town government,” Mehner said. “I was hired by the BMA to oversee the daily operations of the Town of Collierville.”
Reason for administrative leave addressed
Mehner said in the letter Selberg was placed on administrative leave Aug. 10 for declaring, “I don’t f***ing report to Molly Mehner,” in a public space in front of his command staff, other town employees and members of the public.
“As those in public safety organizations know too well, the chain of command is critically important,” she said. “And whether he likes it or not, the fire chief reports to the town administrator. When that chain of command is not recognized or respected, there is a problem that goes beyond personalities and reflects professional shortcomings.”
Mehner: Town admin's job to provide 'world-class customer service'
Under the Town of Collierville’s charter, the BMA serves as the legislative body, while the town administrator is charged with the day-to-day administration of the town, including personnel matters. Article V, Section 5.02, states the town administrator's array of duties, including administration of personnel policies and the selection and discipline of personnel.
In terms of operating department heads, the qualifications of all applicants for operating department heads are reviewed by the town administrator. However, the charter states that operating department heads are nominated by the mayor and appointed or terminated only by majority vote of the board.
“It is my responsibility to ensure the work of our department directors aligns with the goals of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, and that we are providing world class customer service,” Mehner said in the letter. “If there are issues in a particular department, it is my responsibility to ensure the course is corrected, and we get back on track. I would be derelict in my duties if I did not hold directors accountable.”
Undermining authority, underperformance mentioned
Mehner said she attempted to address issues during the meeting with Selberg on July 31, but advised him that progress wasn’t happening on several fronts. She suggested at that time the town "go in a different direction" for the position of fire chief. Mehner said Selberg’s response was insubordinate, and he told her, “You are not my supervisor.”
She and Selberg didn’t communicate again until she requested a response by 3 p.m. Aug. 7 and instead Selberg sent an email before 5 p.m. and copied the BMA.
Mehner said Selberg has also "undermined" her authority on several issues within the fire department, including pay and budgeting, recruiting standards and agility testing.
Mehner described "a long history of underperformance" by Selberg in his role as fire chief, including lack of improved internal focus, lack of improved communication with fire department employees, lack of communication with the BMA and administration on fire incidents, lack of improved understanding of fire department step and career development plans as well as other things.
She said Selberg acknowledged deficiencies in detail in his Aug. 7 letter. She informed him on Aug. 8, the known issues that he identified in his letter and have acknowledged these items have remained unaddressed far too long.
Selberg said he didn't know about board's concerns
He explained he was surprised the situation escalated to his job performance being seen as not living up to the Town of Collierville’s standards, Selberg explained in his response letter to his July meeting with Mehner.
“I was caught completely off guard by some of the issues and am sad that you feel I have let you and the town down,” Selberg said in the letter. I am unaware of the issues that brought this concern and would have appreciated the opportunity to discuss them with you before it reached this level.”
Firefighters' letters of no confidence submitted to city
Selberg's letter also mentions Bill Burke, Collierville’s human resources director, received letters of no confidence from all 15 lieutenants.
“I’ve also developed a strong relationship with most of the lieutenants,” Selberg said. “I don’t know if he’s confused with the letters of support that Battalion Chief Cannon had gotten from many of the lieutenants back when he was under investigation. We learned from many of them that they were strongly coerced to provide those letters and some refused, but I was told that they weren’t about me.”
Selberg cited in his letter Mehner was disappointed in his performance and wishes to look for different leadership.
He requested the opportunity to correct issues and meet her and the Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s expectations.
Selberg addresses myriad of issues in letter
Selberg has been the Collierville fire chief since being appointed by the board in April 2022.
Selberg stated in the letter that when he joined the Collierville Fire Department there were several internal issues he has been diligently working to address and change, including culture, recruitment, promotions, fire engagement, pay concerns and succession planning.
In terms of culture, Selberg said Collierville firefighters have a long culture of having trust issues with command staff as well as internal conflict within the department. He said for several years, firefighters have often gone directly to board members about issues or have made anonymous complaints, rather than taking those concerns directly to the fire chief.
“I’ve met with all stations and asked that they allow me the ability to discuss issues first before trying to go over my head,” Selberg said. “I have improved communication between command staff and firefighters. I have tried to show that I am open to other opinions, such as the issue about lieutenants and drivers possibly rotating shifts on ambulances. I worked with them to resolve this concern ... ."
Selberg also addresses other ways he's improved department operations and thought he maintained a steady stream of communication with the city, but was unaware that board members wanted more communication.
Selberg — who has more than 40 years of experience working in the field — said he hopes not to end his career this way and leave a department in chaos.
“I know that I can address the concerns and meet your expectations,” Selberg said. “I also believe that it will be more beneficial to the fire department and the town to not have to go through a selection process for a new fire chief this soon. If I am given more time, I hope to be able to provide internal candidates for my replacement or at least have staff better prepared to support the next fire chief and not encounter many of the challenges I faced.”
The Collierville Fire Department and all its emergency services continue to operate without interruption. Mark Carter, assistant fire chief, is serving as interim chief, according to Jennifer Preston, public information officer for the Town of Collierville.
Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Corey.Davis@commercialappeal.com or 901-293-1610.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Collierville fire chief blindsided by leave as city admin cites insubordination
