Santee Firefighters Association Calls for New Fire Chief

First published July 10 at 11 p.m.

In an unprecedented move, the Santee Firefighters Association (SFFA) suggested to city council Wednesday night that Fire Chief Bob Leigh be replaced.

Harley Wallace, President of the SFFA, presented a letter to councilmembers explaining that the SFFA concluded a vote of no confidence in the Fire Chief on June 28. This comes on the heels of months of closed session negotiations with City Council on the staffing future of the Fire Department amid a tight budget.

The letter included a call for the dismissal of Leigh, though the council has no power to do so. The City Manager has discretion over the role of Fire Chief, according to the City Attorney.

"We believe it is in our citizens’ best interest to dismiss Fire Chief Bob Leigh from his duties and seek a suitable replacement," Wallace told council. 

The councilmembers took the news solemnly and had to discuss with city staff to know what their options were.

"This is a very important action that was taken, not to be taken lightly," said Councilmember John Minto. "We've never been down this road."

"I'm hearing our beloved association asking the Fire Chief to disappear, which is a serious thing," said Mayor Randy Voepel.

The letter said SFFA took this action to "prevent any further deterioration" of the Fire Department.

"Despite our efforts, the Fire Chief has continued to advocate for reduced services, has not adequately addressed our safety concerns, and has continued to undervalue the level of service that we provide our citizens," Wallace said as he read the letter.

Councilmember Rob McNelis said that negotiations with the SFFA had ended and resulted in the hiring of three new firefighters and the promotion of three from within the ranks, though it may take six to nine months to make the changes.

"I appreciate the association's position, but wish this had been held off until the Chief can make a change with the new tools he has," said McNelis.

"We're not looking for winners or losers, just resolution," said Councilmember Jack Dale.

Leigh came to the Santee Fire Department as Fire Chief in 2011 after working as deputy fire chief of Aurora, CO.

Comments by councilmembers indicate that this issue will likely be an agenda item at the next council meeting, in closed session.

The content of the letter from Santee Firefighters IAFF Local 4373 to the Santee City Council is below:

On June 28, 2013, the Santee Firefighters Association concluded a vote of No Confidence in Fire Chief Bob Leigh. Of our 48 members, 46 of them chose to participate in this vote and unanimously supported a position of no confidence in the leadership of the Fire Chief and the direction of our department under his guidance.

Over the last 18 months, the leadership of the Santee Firefighters has met numerous times with Chief Leigh to address our concerns and attempt to work collaboratively to resolve them. Despite our efforts, the Fire Chief has continued to advocate for reduced services, has not adequately addressed our safety concerns, and has continued to undervalue the level of service that we provide our citizens.

The members of the Santee Firefighters Association have taken this unprecedented action after serious thought and deliberation in an effort to prevent any further deterioration of our department. We believe it is in our citizens’ best interest to dismiss Fire Chief Bob Leigh from his duties and seek a suitable replacement.