Widower Of Bullied Firefighter Demands Fire Chief's Resignation

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA—Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers has no plans to resign after the widower of a firefighter that committed suicide called for a leadership change.

Steve Mittendorff, whose wife Nicole Mittendorff killed herself in 2016 after being targeted by online bullies, called for the resignations a day after battalion chief Kathleen Stanley resigned from her position leading the women's program at Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, according to WTOP.

Stanley had been tasked with improving the work environment for women after Nicole Mittendorff's suicide, but she says the leadership hasn't made change possible. In a letter to Bowers, she cited a number of examples that the work environment hasn't changed.

Steve Mittendorff expressed the desire for new fire department leadership in response to Stanley's allegations.

"Shortly after the suicide of my wife Nicole, a promise was made to me by the Department that every effort to educate and re-shape the culture of this male dominated profession would be met; ultimately, to provide every female or male a safe place to work free of harassment by others and one that is open to progressive change,” said Mittendorff in a statement to WTOP. "I firmly believe the time has come for Deputy County Executive David M. Rohrer and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to re-evaluate the executive leadership of the Department and to ask for the immediate resignation of Chief Richard Bowers and his Assistant Chiefs by seeking new leadership for this plagued Department."

On the allegations in Stanley's letter, Bowers told reporters Thursday, "I can tell you that the allegations are misleading. Many of the allegations were investigated and significant countywide resources were committed to addressing all founded concerns."

A female firefighter also spoke out against a personal incident Stanley cited in her resignation. Technician Alisha Reakoff said Stanlet's letter included a complaint Reakoff made against a male employee. However, Reakoff says the issue was not about gender and "was addressed."

Bowers says the department is working to improve the work environment and recently briefed the Board of Supervisors. "We will continue to move forward to make our organization better and strive to cultivate a safe and welcoming environment for everyone," he said.

Image of Nicole Mittendorff via Fairfax County Fire and Rescue