About The Professional Standards Bureau
As a professional public safety agency, the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department and its employees are held to a higher standard of integrity than the community it serves. The department has established the Professional Standards Bureau to help maintain this level of integrity and professionalism. All employees are subject to the department’s policies and procedures and to the Code of Conduct.
The Professional Standards Bureau will respond to any credible information concerning misconduct by department employees, and is charged with the responsibility of investigating any serious allegations of misconduct involving an employee. Through the use of various investigative techniques, the Professional Standards Bureau gathers the necessary information needed to determine the truth surrounding an allegation. The employee’s rights are important and are protected through any investigation, along with the integrity and confidentiality of the investigation itself.
Bureau Staff
Assistant Chief John Kaminski was appointed to the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department on July 11, 1997. He was promoted to Lieutenant on June 11, 2007 and promotion to Captain came on July 9, 2010. Promotion to Battalion Chief was on March 15, 2013 and Deputy Chief on May 27, 2016. Chief Kaminski was promoted to the Assistant Chief on November 2, 2018. During his career he has been assigned to Stations 7 and 17, as well as assignments as the Wheel Officer, Staff Safety Officer, and Captain of the Bureau of Professional Standards.
Assistant Chief Kaminski earned an Associates Degree in Business Management from Owens Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration from Bowling Green State University. In 2017, Chief Kaminski completed his master’s degree in Emergency Management/Homeland Security from Arizona State University.
Assistant Chief Kaminski is currently responsible for Homeland Security/Special Operations, Emergency Preparedness, Grants, Fire Investigation Unit, and the Professional Standards Bureau.
Battalion Chief Verdell Franklin was appointed to the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department on September 11, 1992. He was promoted to Lieutenant on January 19, 2010, and to Captain on July 17, 2013. On March 7, 2014 he was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and assigned the responsibility of the Fire Administration Office. He was promoted to Battalion Chief on December 10, 2021. He began his career assigned to Fire Station 17 where he was trained in Confined Space Rescue. Chief Franklin has an Associate degree of Applied Business Accounting.
Battalion Chief Franklin is currently assigned Bureau of Professional Standards.
verdell.franklin@toledo.oh.gov
Professional Standards Bureau
One Government Center, Suite 1710
Toledo, Ohio 43604
Phone: 419-936-3530
Fax: 419-245-1298