Grand Blanc Firefighters Sue Township Over Alleged Retaliation

Four part-time firefighters claim they were blocked from becoming full-time after advocating for fire chief's reinstatement.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:05am

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An extreme close-up of a charred, twisted piece of metal from the church fire, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the gritty investigation into the tragic incident.A grim relic from the Grand Blanc church attack exposes the challenges facing the local fire department.Grand Blanc Today

Four part-time Grand Blanc Township firefighters have filed a federal lawsuit against the township and its superintendent, alleging they were retaliated against after advocating for the reinstatement of their fire chief following a deadly church attack in September 2025. The firefighters claim the township made it impossible for them to become full-time after they supported the chief, who was briefly placed on leave.

Why it matters

The lawsuit highlights tensions between firefighters, township leadership, and the fire chief in the aftermath of a tragic incident that exposed staffing concerns within the department. It raises questions about free speech protections for public employees and the challenges faced by smaller fire departments in maintaining adequate staffing levels.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Fire Chief Jamie Jent was placed on administrative leave and considered for termination in the month after a gunman attacked a local Mormon church, killing four people. The firefighters allege Jent was placed on leave after he refused to take part in a 'unified front' with the township's Board of Trustees about fire department staffing and response. The four part-time firefighters - Alexander Newton, Alfred Perry, Ryan Jeltema and Jakob Stifferman - claim the township and Superintendent Dennis Liimatta made it impossible for them to become full-time firefighters after they advocated for Jent's reinstatement, which they eventually achieved.

  • On September 28, 2025, a gunman drove into the Grand Blanc Township Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, killing four people and burning the building to the ground.
  • In the month after the attack, Fire Chief Jamie Jent was placed on administrative leave and briefly considered for termination.
  • In December 2025, township leaders voted to add one full-time firefighter position to the staff following Jent's request for more staffing.

The players

Jamie Jent

The fire chief of Grand Blanc Township who was briefly placed on administrative leave after the 2025 church attack, before being reinstated.

Dennis Liimatta

The superintendent of Grand Blanc Township who the firefighters allege made it impossible for them to become full-time after they advocated for the fire chief's reinstatement.

Alexander Newton

One of the four part-time Grand Blanc Township firefighters who filed the federal lawsuit against the township.

Alfred Perry

One of the four part-time Grand Blanc Township firefighters who filed the federal lawsuit against the township.

Ryan Jeltema

One of the four part-time Grand Blanc Township firefighters who filed the federal lawsuit against the township.

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What’s next

The judge will review the lawsuit and determine if the firefighters' claims have merit. The township has not yet commented publicly on the specifics of the case.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the complex dynamics between firefighters, fire department leadership, and local government officials, especially in the aftermath of a tragic incident. It raises questions about free speech protections and the challenges faced by smaller fire departments in maintaining adequate staffing levels.