Local News
The chief alleges the mayor and city retaliated against him. The mayor called the lawsuit “very disappointing.”
Fitchburg’s fire chief is suing the city and Mayor Samantha Squailia, alleging he was suspended in retaliation for repeatedly opposing the elimination of the city’s emergency alert system.
Fire Chief Dante Suarez filed the lawsuit Aug. 21 in Worcester Superior Court, claiming Squailia targeted him after he spoke out against cutting funding for CodeRED. This automated system alerts residents about emergencies including severe weather, missing children, and active shooters.
According to the lawsuit, Squailia removed funding for CodeRED from the city budget and repeatedly rejected Suarez’s requests to restore it.
The system costs about $10,000 a year, a small fraction of the Fire Department’s roughly $8 million to $9 million annual budget, the complaint says.
The lawsuit also alleges Squailia discriminated against city employees who are people of color. Suarez, who is Hispanic, claims his opposition to eliminating CodeRED ultimately led to his suspension and cost him his position, livelihood, and reputation.
In response, Mayor Squailia said the allegations were “very disappointing” and “false.” Since it is a personnel matter under investigation, she declined to comment further.
What led up to the lawsuit
Suarez joined the Fitchburg Fire Department in 1995 and rose through the ranks, becoming fire chief in 2021. Squailia was elected major in 2023.
During her campaign, Squailia said she planned to eliminate CodeRED as a cost-cutting measure. The complaint says Suarez warned her that eliminating the system without a replacement could put residents at risk.
After taking office, Squailia eliminated funding for CodeRED in her first city budget effective July 1, 2023. The complaint said that no replacement system was in place.
In March 2025, Suarez began trying to restore CodeRED using money from the city’s communications account, the complaint said. His requests were repeatedly denied.
After a shooting in October 2025 prompted three Fitchburg schools to go into lockdown, Suarez again raised concerns about the lack of an emergency notification system, the complaint said.
A month later, he was told CodeRED had been approved for purchase, but would be overseen by the city’s IT Department rather than the Fire Department. The complaint alleges the decision was retaliatory and diminished Suarez’s authority.
In early 2026, the mayor requested an investigation into alleged misconduct by Suarez, according to the complaint. He was placed on administrative leave in February.
Suarez says the alleged misconduct stems from unclear communication within the city’s HR department regarding time off for his personnel, during which he mistakenly told members to use vacation time while on their leave.
The investigation report was sent to the mayor on April 27. The complaint says Squailia later told Suarez he would have to accept a demotion or be fired.
In response, Suarez filed the lawsuit against Squailia and the city, alleging retaliation and discrimination. He is seeking a jury trial. The court did not list the next court date.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
