cal fire disciplinary action against mike ramirez

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    RESPONSE TO A PUBLICRECORDS REQUEST

    MICHAEL RAMIREZ

    SPB Case No.: 15-0229 

    Prepared by

    California State Personnel Board

    February 18, 2015

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    RECORD CERTIFICATION

    I, Mona L. Brooks, hereby certify that the attached documents are the true and correctcopies of the following official records of the California State Personnel Board for:

     APPELLANT: Michael Ramirez

    SPB Case Number(s): 15-0229 

    The State Personnel Board (SPB) has redacted social security numbers and otherpersonally identifying information from these records prior to disclosure. The SPB’sredactions can be found on page(s): 3, 4, 8, 9, 16, 20, 21, 25, 26 and 35.

    Should you have any questions about the redactions, please contact me at thetelephone number listed below.

     ________________________Mona L. Brooks February 18, 2015Custodian of Appeal RecordsCalifornia State Personnel Board916.651.8645

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    RESPONSE TO A PUBLICRECORDS REQUEST

    Michael Ramirez

    SPB Case No.: 15-0229

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Documents  Pages

     Appeal SPB000001 thru SPB000035

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     • l

    ,.

    1

    2

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    9

    PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

    NOTICE -OF ADVERSE ACTION (FORMAL) ·

    10

    Mike Ramirez

    Assistant Chief

    Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

    4501

    State Highway

    J04

    lone, CA 95640

    11 I

    CAL FIRE

    JAN

    16 2015

    LEGAL SERVICES

    12 STATEMENT OF THE NATURE OF ADVERSE

    13 ACTION AND EFFECTIVE DATES

    14 You are hereby notified that in accordance with Section 19574 of the California

    15

    Government Code,

    you

    are dismissed from your position as

    an

    Assistant Chief with the

    16 .

    California

    De

    parlme

    nt

    of Forestry and Protection (CAL FIRE) at the CAL FIRE Academy.

    1

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    1 8 ll

    1 9 ADVISEMENT

    2 0

    All

    of the causes and acts for which this adverse action is being taken me

    21

    alleged separately and severably, and occurred during your course of employment with CAL

    22 FIRE,

    hereafter also known

    as

    the Department, while assigned to

    th

    e CAL FIRE Academy.

    23

    2 4 CAUSE FOR ADVERSE ACTION

    2 5 This action is being taken against you for the causes set forth in the foll owing

    2 6 subsections of Section 19

    57

    2 of the California Government Code:

    2 7

    28

    2 9

    30

    (c)

    (d)

    (c)

    (f)

    Inefficiency

    Inexcusable neglect of duly

    lnsuborclinalion

    Dishonesty

    SPB000001Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    l .

    J : 

    I

    I

    ,

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    (m) Discourteous

    t r ~ t m n t of

    public or other employees

    (o) Willful disobedience

    (p) Misuse

    of

    state property

    r)

    Violation

    of

    the prohibitions set fm1h in accordance with Section 19990

    (t) Other failure

    of

    good behavior either during or

    ouLc;ide of

    duty hours

    which is

    of

    such a nature that it causes discredit

    to

    the appointing

    authority or the person 's employment

    rv

    ACTS UPON WHICH THE CAUSES ARE BASED

    A.

    You allowed subordinates to consume alcoholic beverages while on duty.

    On or

    about April

    12

    2012, you attended a Fire Fighter Academy (FFA) graduation celebration. Also ' ·

    in attendance were the cadets

    of

    FFA class #32. During this time, several cadets were

    consuming alcoholic beverages while on duty. During your administrative intenogation , you

    admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages with your staffand cadets, both of which are your

    subordinates. You further admitted that it was wrong and that you "probably" should have

    taken some action and that

    it also increased the liability

    to CAL

    FIRE.

    You faiJed to enforce PO-227 , Emplo.vee Rules

    d.

    Conduct, and Policy

    Hanel hook l081, Employee Rules

    ?f

    Conduct, which both state in parl, the use

    of

    intoxicating

    beverages ... during work or standby time .. .will be considered grounds for immediate adverse

    action." Adc .itionally, you failed to enf()rce Policy Handbook 1084.1, Substan ce

    buse

    Po lie_\ ,

    which states in part, " under no circumstances will the Departmenltolcrale any employee using

    or being under the influence

    of

    alcohol

    ...

    to w y extent that would impede the employee's

    ability to perform his or her duties safely and effectively," and, a

    ll

    supervisors .. .in the

    Department will be held personally responsible for actively taking steps to ccmy out this

    policy."

    - 2 -

    SPB000002Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    1 B.

    2

    On

    numerous occasions during your tenure at the Academy, you pm·ticipated in,

    3 failed to recognize, and failed to respond to ohvious Equal Employment Oppmtunity (EEO)

    4 policy violations.

    5

    l

    On or about April 12, 2014, FFA class #32 was participating in physical training at the

    CAL FIRE Academy. Fire Captain , who was a cadet in training at the

    7

    time, had bent forward at the waist to stretch. Unbeknownst to her, former Battalion

    8 Chief Orville Fleming had approached her from behind. He thenstruck her buttocks

    9 with his hand, and she stood

    up

    in complete disbelief. You were present when this

    10

    misconduct took place and you failed to take appropriate action . Cadets who witnessed

    11

    the incident indicated that you later addressed the entire class and stated that nothing

    12 inappropriate had occurred. During your administrative inteiTogation, you stated that

    13 you had a conversation with who stated that it was not a

    big

    deal, and you

    14

    therefore determined there was no misconduct by former Battahon Chief Fleming .

    15

    When asked

    to

    rate the severity of the incident as an EEO policy violation on a scale of

    16 one to ten with one being the least severe and ten being the most severe, you rated it a

    17 nothing.

    18

    19 You failed

    to

    appropriately investigate, take any form of corrective action, or report the

    2 0 misconduct to your supervisor, thereby failing to ensure the workplace was free and

    21

    would remain free

    of

    sexual harassment or discrimination. You had a duty to protect

    22 your subordinate cadets from any form of sexual harassment

    or

    discrimination ,

    2 3 especially given their compromised and vulnerable positions as trainees.

    24

    2 5 2. While assigned to the CAL FIRE Academy you viewee inappropriate images being

    2 6 displayed in the workplace. Specifically, you were present when former Battalion Chief

    SPB000003Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    Fleming displayed a partially nude photograph of his late , , on

    his cellular phone to you and other employees. Additionally; you were present when

    Fire Captain displayed inappropriate pictures in the donnitory area of the

    Academy.

    You were present as the ranking officer and failed

    to

    take any conectivc action.

    3.

    n

    or around November 2011 , you were present at the CAL FIRE Academy when

    former CAL FIRE Baualion Chief Fleming approached Fire Captain and

    began talking

    to

    her about vaginal piercings. Both Fire Captain and former

    Battalion Chief Fleming testified in their administrative intenogatiom; that they clearly

    recalled the incident and that you were present as the ranking officer.

    You failed

    to

    appropriately investigate, take any form of ccmective action , or report the

    misconduct to your supervisor, thereby failing to ensure the workplace was free and

    would remain free of sexual harassment or discrimination.

    4 During your administrative interrogation, when discussing the importance, frequency,

    and piimity of EEO training, and your knowledge of EEO policy , you admitted that

    when you took the training, "I justkept clicking the answers until it changed to the next

    page." Your statemen t clearly indicates that you do not take thjs training seriously.

    2 3 You failed to enforce P0-227, Employee Rules

    qf

    Conduct and Policy

    24 Handbook 1081, Employee Rules o Conduct which both state in part, The us e of vulgarity,

    2 5

    sexually suggestive comments or gestures, whether intended to

    be

    offensive or not, the di splay

    2 6 of explicit obscene photographs, pictures or posters or the use of any audio/visual equipment to

    SPB000004Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    1 produce such vulgarity will not

    be

    permitted. You failed to enforce Policy Handbook 1403,

    2 Equal Emplovment Opportunity Policy

    which states

    1n

    part, Employees and contractors

    of

    3

    CAL

    FIRE

    shall adhere to a standard of conduct that ensures respectful treatment

    of

    everyone

    4

    they come

    n

    contact with during

    the

    course of their employment and

    work

    related activities.

    5 The Depm1ment does not tolerate unprofessional, disrespectful behavior from its employees

    6 and contractors at any time, for any reason.

    -, 7 c.

    8 During your tenure at

    the

    Academy, you failed to recognize, and failed to

    9 respond to an instance of workplace violenc

    e.

    10

    I

    As

    described in Section B, Ilem

    1

    above, you witnessed former Battalion

    Chief

    11 I Fleming strike a

    cadet

    on the buttocks with his hand. You failed to appropriately irwesligate,

    12

    ·I ·take

    ny

    form

    of

    action, or report the misconduct to your supervisor, thereby failing to follow

    1:3 I

    and enforce the workplace violence policy. You had a duty to protect your subordinate cadets

    14

    fi'mn workp1ace violence, especially given tbeir.compromised and vulnerable positions as

    15 trainees.

    16

    You failed

    to

    enforce Policy Handbook 1086,

    Assaults Threats and Violence

    17 Against Employees

    which states

    in

    part, It is

    CAL FIRE's

    policy

    that

    intimidation, threats,

    18 assaults, and acts of violence in

    the

    workplace or affecting the work situation are unacceptable

    19

    and will not be tolerated. The

    policy

    further slates ,

    Each

    employee,

    when

    he or she feels

    2 0

    threatened,

    provoked

    , or intimidated by an inciclent(s), or witnesses or

    becomes

    aware·of such

    21

    incident(s) is responsible for notifying his or her manager.  

    22

    D.

    2 3

    On numerous occasions , you misused State resources,

    including

    misuse of a

    2 4

    State assigned vehicle , and misuse

    of

    State time.

    2

    5

    1.

    In 2014, you inappropriately used a state vehicle for personal business. While on

    2

    6 vacation leave, you traveled to Ethiopia

    to

    train and instruct fire fighters within that

    SPB000005Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    .

    country. This trip was not sponsored

    hy

    CAL FIRE  and you were off duty while you

    were away. However  you drove-yourself

    to

    and from the airport in your State vehicle

    instead of your personal car leaving the State vehicle at the airport while you were

    gone. You did not have approval from your supervisor.

    2.

    In August 2014 

    you

    used your State vehicle to drive approximately 400 miles

    on

    perscmal

    business whi

    le assignee to

    a fire. On August 4 through

    14,

    2014 

    you

    were

    assigned to the Eiler fire near Burney  California. Personnel

    on

    that

    fire

    were assigned

    to 24-hour shifts

    \

    1

    here they would work 24-bours

    on

    the fireline followed

    by

    a 24-

    hour rest period that ensured safe operations.

    On

    August

    9,

    you used

    your rest period to

    drive 200 miles

    to

    your home in West Sacramento. You

    th

    en attended a Country in the

    Park ConcCii at Cal-Expo with your wife; followed by a 200 mile drive back

    to

    the-Eiler

    Fire.

    You

    admitted   in your administrative intenogation  that

    you

    had only six hours of

    sleep during your 24-hour rest period. Your misuse of a State vehicle caused

    approximately 400 miles of unnecessary wear on the vehicle exhausted resources and

    depleted State fuel.

    3. During the same time period discussed above

    you

    misused State time by being

    approximately 200 miles away from the fire to which you were a

    ss

    igned. During the

    rest period you were still on-duty  assigned to the fir

    e,

    and mandated

    to be

    available for

    callback if requested by incident command personnel. The resl period

    is

    on-duty lime

    c esignecl to ensure firelinc personnel receive adequate rest and rehabilitation prior to

    going back onto the fireline for the next 24-hour period provided there

    is no

    immediate

    need for them during the rest period. Personnel assigned

    to

    an incident are still

    considered on duty and required to abide by all applicable polkies and procedures while

    on their rest period. You however admitted that instead of resting during this time and

    SPB000006Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    1

    placed on A TO, without approval from Staff Chief Tyler, which was also a violation of the

    2 ATO directions. Your actions violated directives, both verbally and inwriting , issued by your

    3 CAL FIRE chain of command.

    5 As an Assistant Chief for CAL FIRE, you repeatedly lied to law enforcement

    6

    officers during your administrative interrosation on September 26, 2014 , and to CAL FIRE

    7 management.

    8

    1

    You were dishonest about repeated Equal Employment Opportunity Policy violations

    9 that occurred under your charge and with your knowledge.

    10

    a

    In November 2011 , former Battalion Chief Fleming approached a new Fire

    11 Captain at the

    CAL

    FIRE Academy, , while she was at her

    ·· 12

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    · , desk and you were present. Former Battalion Chief Fleming began talking ·

    to Fire Captain about vaginal piercings. You denied knowing

    anything about it or being present. You stated, Tha(didn t happen. I mean,

    when they 're in that office [the BFC office] there

    isn t

    conversations like

    that. The investigators had not revealed the fact that the conversation had

    · taken place in the BFC office. Both former Battalion Chief Fleming and Fire

    Captain said you were present.

    b In April 2014, during physical training, former Battalion Chi

    ef

    Fleming

    came up behind a female student, , and slapped her buttocks

    when she was bent over during a stretching exercise.

    t

    shocked the student

    and made a loud enough sound to alert th e other students. You denied being

    present, instead stating that you walked in afterwards and that it was an

    innocenl tap designed to get her attention. Your testimony about where

    SPB000008Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    you were and what you knew with regards to this incident changed several

    times. At least six other witnesses clearly recalled that you were present.

    c On numerous occasions, you were present and participated in viewing

    inappropriate photographs being displayed in the workplace. Specifically,

    Fire Captain Russell Kane stated in his administrative interrogation that

    he

    witnessed you in the instructor barracks area at the Academy looking at

    inappropriate pictures with former Battalion Chief Fleming and other

    instructors. He stated the instructors would giggle as the phone was

    passed around and that you looked

    at

    the pictures. Likewise, Fire Captain

    John Saclo stated in his administrative intenogation that he was with you and

    ·former Battalion ChiefFleming on the fire r o u n s at the Academy, when

    former Battalion Chief Fleming displayed an inappropriate picture

    on

    his

    cellular phone and that you looked at the.picture. Similarly, Fire Captain

    , admitted in his administrative interrogation that he

    \vould observe and display inappropriate pictures in the instructor barracks

    m·ea

    and that you were present on some of those occasions. You denied ever

    seeing any inappropriate pictures in the workplace.

    d You denied receiving a text message that included an inappropriate link

    to

    a

    S\·Vingers club (Club Joi), sent to you

    by

    Fire Captain on

    November 21, 2013,

    l

    1815 hours. Fire Captain admitted sending it to

    you

    and another co-worker, who admitted receiving

    it.

    You stated that you

    do not recall ever receiving inappropriate links via text messages on your

    state issued cell phone.

    9

    SPB000009Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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      2. You lied about statements you made to others regarding your intent discredit the

    2 CAL FIRE Director. Specifically, the Academy Administrator, Deputy Chief George

    3 Morris III , testified that in late August or early September 2014, you told him you had

    4 damaging information about the Director. You said, in reference to your upcoming

    5 administrative intenogation , They ask me the right question, then I will say this.  

    6

    Another

    Academy

    employee, Digital

    Composition

    Specialist, Shannon

    Browne

    , also

    7 stated she heard you say that you have dirt

    on

    Pimlott. During ynu administrative

    8

    intenogation

    , you denied making those remarks.

    9

    10

    3. You

    Lied

    to Iaw enforcement officers

    during

    your administrative interrogation, stating

    11 that you were

    off

    duty during your rest period, while in fact you were assigned to the

    ·12

    13

    .

    14

    ··

    Eiler

    fire

    and receiving

    compensation.You further

    stated

    that, ' 'Itis not-state{ime  ·I t?s

    my time.

    15 4. You lied to your direct supervisor with respect to fqllov-iing the orders contained in your

    16 notice of

    Administrative

    Time Off (ATO). On December 9 , 2014, your

    supervisor

    ,

    17

    Staff

    Chief

    Tyler, had a conversation with you stating that you were

    to

    check-in with

    18

    him before collecting some

    of

    your personal belongings at the

    Academy

    at

    1000 hours

    9 the following day. You anived ll approximately 0530 hours with four subordinate

    2 0 employees (three subject to the-A

    TO

    order) while it was still dark out.

    The

    nthei\

    21

    employees admitted to knowing they

    were

    supposed to

      k ~ i n

    first and were not

    2 2 supposed to be there unli11ater that cl y and apologized. You denied il, stating that you

    2

    3 did not recall

    the

    conversation.

    24

    -1 0 -

    SPB000010Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    5. You changed your testimony several times before eventuaiiy admitting to misconduct

    involving failure to act as .the ranking officer in charge when you knew students were

    drinking on duty.

    l_:. or

    the reasons stated above, in Sections A through F, and because

    of

    the

    expectations and standtmls of the

    Department

    and the

    public

    trust bestowed upon uniformed

    personnel, the Deparlmcnt cannot allow you to continue in any role in this organization.

    You fostered an environment wherein subordinates were enabled to act and converse in a

    manner which allowed sexual hcmtssment and inappropriate activities to occur, placing your

    suborchnates and cadets at risk. Despite the fact that

    EEO

    training is required and provided

    for all managers and supervisors

    of

    the Department, you did not take this training seriously,

    · and your attiltide and actions are inconsistent with your position as a leader, manager; ;,.

    supervisor, trainer, and

    mentor

    for

    CAL

    FIRE. You repeatedly fai led to

    lel1

    the

    truth

    during

    14 your administrative

    i n t e i T o g a t ~ o n

    You failed

    to

    take required action 'and failed to .inform _

    15

    your supervisors about the inappropriate events you participated

    in

    and/or witnessed. As a

    16

    uniformed individual, these actions are evidence that you cannot be trusted

    lo

    act in

    17

    accordance with Department policies to protect and serve

    CAL FIRE or

    the citizens

    of the

    18

    19

    State of California.

    v

    2o MATERIALS ND DOCUMENTS

    21

    Pursuant

    to

    State Personnel Board (SPB)

    Rule

    52.3 , a

    copy

    of all materials and

    22 documents upon which this Adverse Action

    is

    based, accompany this Action with a cover sheet

    2 3 denoting each material/document. Additionally, pursuant to G.C. Section 19574.1, you, or your

    4 designated representative, have the right to inspect any documents in the possession of, or under

    25 the control of, this Depmtment which me relevant to this Action or which would constitute

    2 6 relevant evidence as defined by Evidence Code Section 210. f you have such a request

    SPB000011Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    1 pursuant to G

    C

    Section 1957 4.1, you should contact the CAL FIRE Legal Office at

    2

    C9Io

    653-4153.

    3 Work performance problems arc sometimes characteristic of an outside problem.

    4 You m-e advised that the Department s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to you 24

    5 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed by calling (866) 327-4762 or TDD

    6 (800) 327-0801.

    7

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    V

    RIGHT TO RESPOND TO APPOINTING POWER (SKELLY HEARING)

    Pursuant to SPB Rule 52.3, you have the right

    to

    respond to this Notice of

    ·Adverse Action,

    either

    in

    writing or

    v e r b a l l y ~

    prior

    to

    January 23, 2015,

    the effective

    elate

    of

    this Action. If you wish to respond verba1ly, please contact Skelly Officer Bryan Cash at

    (916) 6 5 3 ~ 6 3 8 ; to schedule·your meeting so that·it may take place prior to the effective da:te ,

    January 2015. You have the right to a representative at this meeting; however, at this stage of

    the proceedings you are not entitled to a formal hearing with cxarnination

    of

    witnesses. You are

    entitled to a reasonable amount

    of

    State time to prepar·e your response to the charges/allegations.

    If you wish to respond

    in

    wriling, please submit your response to Bryan Cash, at the California

    Natural Resources Agency, P.O. Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244. Your written response

    should he mailed or hand-delivered to ensure receipt prior to Januaf) 23, 2015 the effective

    elate.

    Whether you choose to respond verbally or in writing, the individual to whom you respond ·

    . will have the authority to recommend to the appointing power amendment, modification, or

    revocation of any or

    a1l of

    the foregoing allegations.

    VII

    RIGHT OF APPEAL TO TH STATE PERSONNEL BOARD

    Regardless of whether you choose to respond as detailed

    in

    Section VI above,

    pursuant to G.C. Section 19575, you may appeal this Action to the SPB. You, the employee,

    have thirty (30) calendar days after the effective date of this Notice of Adverse Action to file

    -12-

      •

    SPB000012Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    I

    I

    I

    I

    I

    I

    I

    I

    .

    i

    with the SPB a written answer (appeal) to the Notice of Adverse Action. The answer shall be

    deemed a denial

    of

    all

    of

    the allegations

    of

    the Notice of Adverse Action not expressly admitted

    and a request for hearing or investigation as provided

    in

    this article. With the consent

    of

    the SPB,

    or its authorized representative, an amended answer may subsequently be filed. Lf you fail to

    answer within the time specified, or after answer, withdraw your appeal, the Adverse Action taken

    by the appointing power shall be final. A copy

    of

    your

    cmsvver

    and

    of

    any amended answer shall

    promptly be given by the Bomd

    to

    the appointing power.

    Your appeal

    sha11

    be sent

    to:

    The State Personnel Board

    Attention: Heming Office

    P.O.Box 944201

    Sacramento, California 94244 2010 .

    You may also flle your appeal

    in

    person during normal business hours with the (SPB) which is

    located at 801 Capitol Mall in Sacramento, California.

    Pursuant to G.C. Section 19578, the SPB,

    or iLl

    authorized representative, shall

    hold a hem·ing within a reasonable

    Lime

    You will be notified of the time and place of the hearing.

    You are

    responsible

    for

    notifying the

    SPB

    of

    any

    changes

    n

    your

    address

    that

    occur

    -

    after

    the effective

    date

    of this Action:.

    You or the Department may request the use of the expedited appeal process by

    writing to the SPB Hearing Officer within ten 1 0) calendm days

    of

    the filing of the appeal.

    Staff

    of the Board will contact the opposing pmty to determine if the pm·ty is prepmed and concurs with

    the request. If the party concurs, a hearing will be scheduled within fifteen (15) calendm days of

    the concurrence of both parties. proposed Heming Officer decision will be prepmed within five

    13

    SPB000013Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    I

    1

    I

    :I

    4

    I

    I

    :I

    8

    9

    1

    . ·.

    5) calendar days of the concunence of both pmties m1d considered at the next

    approp1iaLe

    Board

    meeting. If concurrence is not obtained, Lhe appeal will be processed through the normal

    scheduling system.

    VIII

    SEP R TE ND DISTINCT RIGHTS

    Your right to respond prior to the effective elate of this Notice of Adverse Action as

    detailed in ection VI is separate and distinct from your formal SPB appeal rights

    as

    detailed in

    ection ll above. You may exercise both rights

    as

    long

    as

    you do so within the time limits

    provided.

    .I

    ated J ~ / W - (

    12-

    zo6

    14

    1

    1

    I

    1 8 I

    I

    I ,

    l

    I

    I

    I

    Anthony P Favro, Deputy Director

    Department

    of

    Forestry and Fire Protection

    -

    14

    -

    SPB000014Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

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    , STATE OF CA   FOR NIA - NATUr \AL RESOURCES AG ENCY

    Edmund G .Brown .. iove

    DEPARTMENJ-OF FORESTRYAND FIRE PROTECTION

    P.O. Box 944246

    Sacramento

    ,

    California

    94244

    -24 60

    (916) 445-7772

    Website: www.fire.ca.qov . .

    DECLARATION OF PERSONAL SERVid

    C L

    FIRE

    t  

    i .

    JAN

    6

    2 15

    _ :

    LEG L

    SERVICES

    , declare:

    I am and was at the time of the service of the attached , described below, over the age of

    18 years and not a party to the within action.

    n / ;z

    , I served originals and copies, as indicated

    below, on: i

    NAME OF EMPLOYEE:

    CIVIL SERVICE

    CLASSIFICATION:

    (1) Notice of Adverse Action

    MICHAEL RAMIREZ

    ASSISTANT

    CHIEF

    (2) Administrative Investigation Binders

    #1

    through #8

    (3) CAL F RE Policy 1086, Assaults , Threats, and Violence Against Employees

    (4) January 5, 2015 Deputy Director Clare Frank Memorandum of Reco

    rd

    Service was effected by:

    l?f,evJr

    < v:;:

    t d A

    ~

    by personally delivering

    to an

    d leaving with the person

    named above a copy at the address below:

    Street Address :

    City S

    tate/Zip Code:

    9 5 C 

    lo f

    I declare un der penalty of perju

    ry

    that the foregoing is true and correct , and that this

    declaration was executed by

    me.

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    EV - Ack with PHSC Rev. 08/11/2014Created 04/25/2012

    February 13, 2015

    Re: Micheal Ramirez SPB Case No. 15-0229

     Appeal originally filed on 02/11/15

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER

    The Appeals Division has received an appeal from a/an Dismissal. Accordingly, this casehas been set for a Prehearing and Settlement Conference (PHSC). The PHSC notice isattached to this letter. If either party has a calendaring conflict with the PHSC date, a“Notification of Conflict for Calendared PHSC” form may be submitted in lieu of a Motion toContinue Hearing. This document is available in the Forms and Reports  section of the

    SPB website.

    The parties and their representatives are expected to be familiar with the SPBprocedural regulations, and failure to comply may result in evidentiary sanctions.  The applicable regulations are available on the SPB website. Please see the AppealsProcedures section at www.spb.ca.gov.

    While this appeal is pending, the parties may wish to consider mediation as a method toresolve this matter. If the parties agree to proceed with mediation, the State Mediation andConciliation Service offered by the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), may beable to assist you. For more information about mediation, please visithttp://www.perb.ca.gov/SMCS.aspx. 

    With this letter, party representatives will receive the SPB ALJ Peremptory Strike List.   Inaddition to a copy of the Strike List, unrepresented appellants will also receive a copy ofthe Evidentiary Appeals Hearing Procedures document. These forms, as well as theContact Update Form, are available on the SPB website. To assist in SPB’s effort inmoving toward a paperless process, please return completed forms by electronic mail [email protected].  If you are an unrepresented individual and do not have accessto a computer, please contact the Appeals Division by calling (916) 653-0799 and theseforms will be mailed to you.

    For additional information, please visit the Appeals section of the SPB website.

    Sincerely,

     _________________________________________________________________________________________

    James DiFilippo Appeals Division

    SPB000032Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

    http://www.perb.ca.gov/SMCS.aspxhttp://www.perb.ca.gov/SMCS.aspxmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.perb.ca.gov/SMCS.aspx

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    BEFORE

    THE C LIFORNI

    ST TE PERSONNEL BO RD

    EV - Ack with PHSC Rev. 08/11/2014Created 04/25/2012

    February 13, 2015

    Re: Micheal Ramirez SPB Case No. 15-0229

    NOTICE OF TIME AND PLACE OFPREHEARING AND SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE

    DATE: TIME: LOCATION:

    05/05/15 10:30 AMState Personnel Board - 801 Capitol Mall, Room 108Sacramento, CA 95814

    Please take notice that the above-captioned matter has been set for a Prehearing and SettlementConference before a State Personnel Board (SPB) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who is theperson appointed and authorized by SPB as its representative to hold and conduct the conference inthis matter. Each party to these proceedings is entitled, but not required, to be represented bycounsel at his/her own expense

    The parties and their representatives are expected to be familiar with the SPB proceduralregulations, and failure to comply may result in evidentiary sanctions.  The applicableregulations are available on the SPB website. Please see the Appeals Procedures  section atwww.spb.ca.gov. 

    Upon application to SPB, or its ALJ, subpoenas may be issued as provided by law. All continuancesand other motions must   be filed with SPB electronically at [email protected].  Continuancesgranted by the Presiding ALJ shall be considered a waiver of timeframes set forth in GovernmentCode section 18671.1.

    Inquiries can be made in writing by e-mailing [email protected],  or by calling SPB at(916) 653-0799.

    Sincerely,

     _________________________________________________________________________________________

    James DiFilippo Appeals Division

    • This facility is accessible to persons with disabilities • • If you need a sign language interpreter, please contact TDD (916) 654-2360 • 

    SPB000034Response to a Public Records Request as of February 18, 2015

    http://www.spb.ca.gov/http://www.spb.ca.gov/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.spb.ca.gov/

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      PROOF OF SERVICE

    Re: In the matter of appeal by Micheal Ramirez From the appeal of Dismissal 

    SPB Case No. 15-0229

    Micheal Ramirez 

    I am over the age of 18 years and not a party to the above-reference matter. I declare that I amemployed by the California State Personnel Board, 801 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, California 95814.

    On the date shown below, I caused the following document(s) to be served on the addressee:

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTERPREHEARING AND SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE HEARING NOTICE

    By E-mail: By transmitting the above-named document(s) via electronic mail to the followinge-mail address(es):

    By US Mail: I am familiar with the SPB’s practice for collecting and processing correspondencefor mailing. On the same day that the correspondence is placed for collection and mailing, it is depositedin the ordinary course of business, in the United States Postal Service in a sealed envelope with postagethereon fully prepaid.

    Appellant:

    Micheal Ramirez

    Respondent:

    Forestry and Fire ProtectionPO Box 944246, Room1516-20Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

    Appellant Representative:Carroll, Burdick & McDonough, LLP - Sac

     Attn: Jason Jasmine980 9th Street, Suite 380Sacramento, CA 95814-2723

    Respondent Representative:Forestry and Fire Protection - LegalP O Box 944246, Room 1516-20Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

    I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct, and that this declaration wasexecuted on February 13, 2015, at Sacramento, California.

    Signed:

     _________________________________________________________________________________________

    James DiFilippo