ELKHART, Ind. -- According to documents from Elkhart Circuit Court, Elkhart firefighter Jason Lantz is suing the City of Elkhart Fire Merit Commission following disciplinary action he received for alleged misconduct.

On Nov. 6, 2024, after midnight, Lantz entered the emergency room at Elkhart General Hospital through the ambulance door.

Lantz used a key code to access the ambulance door. He was off duty and in street clothes.

Lantz said he was there to visit a female friend who'd just been admitted following a car crash.

Documents state when he entered, he encountered a nurse he knew. The two spoke briefly, which led to the nurse becoming annoyed, according to Lantz.

After he left, documents stated the nurse complained to hospital security that Lantz had used the ambulance door to enter the ER while off duty instead of the public entrance.

The city then charged Lantz with misconduct.

City officials allege it was misconduct when Lantz entered the ER while off duty through the restricted ambulance door instead of the public entrance.

A hearing before the Merit Commission was held on Aug. 22.

The commission decided to bar Lantz from serving in a paramedic capacity.

According to Elkhart Fire Chief Dale, firefighters have routinely entered the ER while off duty through the ambulance door, just as Lantz had.

Dale said this practice had been on-going for years, and at no time had the hospital ever complained about the practice before.

The suit asks the court to reverse the Merit Commission’s decision as it allegedly exceeds the scope of its authority.