Schor defends HR director over Fire Department concerns

THURSDAY, June 9 — Lansing Mayor Andy Schor is standing by his human resources director despite critical independent reviews raising concerns about the department's operations.

Two independent reviews for the City of Lansing have zeroed in on the Human Resources Department with heavy criticisms about operations as well as training and qualifications for the staff. That includes the department’s director, Linda Sanchez-Gazella. 

The most recent report, released last week, reviewed the Lansing Fire Department. The previous report, released in 2021, looked at the operations of the Lansing Police Department. Both raised questions about the Human Resources Department, which handles hiring, firing and some personnel misconduct investigations for the city. Both reviews were conducted by the Center for Safety Assessments and Inclusion, a Florida nonprofit consulting firm.

Despite the criticisms, Schor’s spokesman said the mayor is pleased by Sanchez-Gazella’s performance. 

“Even before this report was produced the Mayor and HR Director have talked about the direction of the department and need for change at a lot of levels,” spokesman Scott Bean wrote in response to City Pulse questions. “Mayor Schor’s HR Director has done tremendous work with the resources available. In addition, HR is currently working through the hiring process to help boost efficiency and transform several of the internal functions of the department by bringing on additional hiring staff and a deputy director.” 

Sanchez-Gazella has led the department since Schor's first term.

Bean said new Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant is aware of the racial equity concerns and tensions in the department and is creating a strategy to address them. Bean said Schor is “very supportive of those goals.”

Replaced aging equipment was also raised in the report, which noted the city should have eight operating ambulances to handle medical calls, but it only has five. The city plans to spend $3.9 million on additional vehicles, which it hopes will be covered by grants.