Missouri EMS Worker Sues County Over Termination

Curt Bigge of Leavenworth filed the lawsuit July 31 in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., against the board of county commissioners, EMS Director Irene Maley and former assistant EMS director Charles Conrad.

According to the lawsuit, Bigge claims he was fired in August 2002 in retaliation for his work in publishing a brochure critical of the operations of the EMS department.

Bigge seeks an unspecified amount in actual and punitive damages.

David Van Parys, Leavenworth County counselor, said the county did not comment on pending litigation. According to the lawsuit, Bigge worked for the department from 1991 until he was fired. In the spring of 2001, Bigge claims, he and other EMS workers became concerned about the administration and operation of the department, which they say involved issues of public safety and welfare.

Bigge said he met with other employees in small groups to discuss their concerns and ways they could improve the department.

According to the lawsuit, the workers were upset about the reduction in training; the rate of turnover of personnel and the lack of public education on EMS issues. Bigge claims he acted as a de facto chairman for the other employees.

When county commissioners reappointed Maley as director of EMS in the fall of 2001, Bigge claims, he and other workers decided to make their concerns public. They published a brochure in the summer of 2002 and distributed it to the public.

After a citizen confronted Bigge in August 2002, Conrad allegedly fired Bigge for being disrespectful to Maley. Bigge was later told he was fired because of public complaints over his involvement in the drafting and circulation of the brochure.

Bigge claims his first amendment rights, including his rights of association and free speech, were violated. Bigge also claims he was not fired for just cause.