MI Chief Suspended Without Pay amid Lawsuit

Aug. 14 -- FENTON TWP., MI -- The Fenton Township Board of Trustees have suspended Fire Chief Ryan Volz without pay until Oct. 1, according to township manager Thomas Broecker.

Volz was placed on paid administrative leave with another firefighter on July 9 as the township investigated the pair for an unspecified reason.

Broecker would not discuss the investigation or any other details about Volz due to a pending lawsuit.

"This has been tough on myself, on my family -- it's been tough on the department," Volz said. "I just want to thank my community. I had the utmost support from my community. They know my credentials. They know my background and have come out and supported me."

Volz said he also is required to take classes on harassment and diversity. 

Two firefighters filed a lawsuit against the township and Volz following his suspension over allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.

The lawsuit was filed by Fenton Township firefighters Kristy Polidan and Kirk Stephens in Genesee Circuit Court on July 25 and alleges firefighters made sexual comments to Polidan and retaliated against Stephens when he attempted to support her.

Volz said the allegations in the lawsuit are untrue and he looks forward to helping the township defend itself. 

"They're all false allegations," Volz said of the civil lawsuit. "They have no idea how that's destroyed my career, my family, my name. It's been horrible."

Township officials have declined to comment on the lawsuit.

The township has declined to identify the second firefighter who was placed on leave, but attorney Alec Gibbs confirmed his client, firefighter Paul Bjorklund, was placed on leave along with Volz. 

Bjorklund filed a lawsuit on July 31 and was granted a temporary restraining order that prevents the township from taking disciplinary action against him until the township hands over documents relating to its investigation of the incident, Gibbs said. 

Fenton Township Attorney Jack Belzer said there has been no change in Bjorkland's status and he remains on paid administrative leave.

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