Fairfax Fire Chief To Retire Amid Claims Against Department

FAIRFAX, VA—Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers announced Friday afternoon he will retire. The announcement came weeks after new allegations surfaced about how the department has not improved how it handles sexual harassment. There will be a transition to new leadership by April 30.

Battalion chief Kathleen Stanley made the allegations against the department in a late January letter resigning from her post leading the department's women's program. She cited a number of examples of how the department hasn't made the work environment safe from sexual harassment and other misbehavior—after firefighter Nicole Mittendorff's 2016 suicide and Stanley's appointment to the position. She claimed the department leadership "tolerates, and often defends, sexual harassment, retaliation and a hostile work environment," making her task of improving the workplace for women difficult.

Nicole Mittendorff's widower Steve Mittendorff joined Stanley in calling for leadership changes at the department. Bowers said at the time he had no intention of resigning and intended to continue improving the department.

SEE ALSO:

• Battalion Chief Resigns Over Unchanging Harassment Policies
• Widower Of Bullied Firefighter Demands Fire Chief's Resignation
• County Executive Investigates Claims Against Fire Department

Roughly a week later, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed County Executive Bryan Hill to launch an internal investigation. Fire department officials had briefed the Board of Supervisors about efforts to improve, but Chairman Sharon Bulova said in a statement Stanley's allegations conflict with the fire department's report.

The fire department entered the national spotlight in 2016 when Mittendorff committed suicide, after firefighters allegedly cyberbullied her in online comments. The following year, a third party assessment on the fire department identified issues involving leadership, bullying, harassment, discrimination, conflict management and hiring. An action plan being implemented at the fire department followed.

Bowers announced his retirement in a message to staff:

Good afternoon Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personnel!

I have proudly and honorably served in the Fire and Rescue profession for almost 41 years. Of those 41 years, 10 of those years have been as a Fire Chief for Metropolitan Fire and Rescue Departments.

I want all the men and women of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Service, career, volunteer and civilian staff to know you are outstanding people and I respect each and every one of you. You are hard workers and I am so proud of everyone and of this department! I thank you for the opportunity to be your Fire Chief and serve you and the residents of Fairfax County. We have built a strong foundation and achieved so much by working together.

I have informed County Executive Hill and Deputy County Executive Rohrer that effective April 30, 2018 I will retire as Fire Chief of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. I will be pursuing other personal and professional endeavors and opportunities.

I have made a commitment to County Executive Hill, Deputy County Executive Rohrer and Chairman Bulova that there will be a complete and thorough leadership transition between now and April 30, 2018. I need everyone to keep focused on the mission and in making sure we take care of each other and the residents who we serve. I need you to respond to the needs of our residents and in turn, I will always support and take care of everyone in the department.

We move forward! I will always stand up for and behind the men and women of this department!

Respectfully,

Fire Chief Richie Bowers

Image via Fairfax County