A former deputy EMS chief with the Cambridge Community Fire/EMS District has filed suit in federal court alleging he was unlawfully terminated from his position. Deputy Chief Jason Caira filed suit against the Cambridge Community Fire/EMS District, the Cambridge Community Fire and EMS Commission, and the commission president.

According to the complaint, Chief Caira entered into a three-year employment agreement with the District and the Commission on July 10, 2023, to serve as Deputy Chief of EMS. The contract provided that he could only be terminated for cause, incorporated procedural protections under Wisconsin Statute § 62.13(5)(em), and included provisions for compensation such as raises, comp time, accrued leave, and acting chief pay if he served in that role for more than 30 days.

In October 2023, Chief Paul Blount went on medical leave, thrusting Chief Caira into the acting role. Chief Blount later filed a complaint alleging Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) violations. The complaint states that Chief Caira supported Chief Blount’s FMLA claim and soon after faced retaliation in the workplace.

Chief Caira filed a retaliation charge with the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division in 2024, later amending it in January 2025 to include additional alleged retaliatory acts. On January 22, 2025, Chief Caira was terminated. He contends that he was not given notice of charges against him or an opportunity to rebut allegations, nor was he afforded the statutory process referenced in his contract

The complaint alleges three causes of action:

1. Due Process Violations – Alleging that the commission president, the District, and the Commission deprived him of his constitutional right to due process before termination.
2. Breach of Contract – Alleging that the District and Commission failed to provide compensation guaranteed under his employment agreement, including raises, comp time, accrued leave, and acting chief pay.
3. FMLA Retaliation – Alleging that the District and Commission terminated him because of his protected activity in supporting an FMLA complaint

The complaint seeks compensatory damages for economic and emotional harm, equitable relief to enforce his contract and due process rights, punitive damages against Schroeder, and attorney’s fees.

Here is a copy of the complaint:

Note: We will be holding another delivery of our FMLA program: Family and Medical Leave Act, Sick Leave Abuse & the Fire Service: Averting claims of discrimination & retaliation. Join us online on October 29, 2025.