It's performance based 100 percent," said Troy Blakeney, senior counsel for the Houston Professional Firefighters Association. 1700 The vote has not yet been scheduled as the union works through policies and procedures, but will likely be held by the end of the week. Retiring SLC Fire Chief Nate Spera always eyed improvement The recent promotions of two district chiefs underscore the effects of an ongoing gender gap in the department's ranks . Fire Chief Samuel Pea Specialized Aircraft Rescue Units, Training Captain, Engine, Ladder, Ambulance, Booster, Evacuation Boat, Specialized Aircraft Rescue Units, Aircraft Rescue Firefighter Chief, Senior Coordinator, Engine, Booster, Evacuation Boat, Utility Cart. We speak for the men, he said. Female firefighters face tough climb up HFD career ladder - Chron The concerns raised give me a greater sense of urgency to make sure our firefighters are aware of how I am supporting the great work they are doing as evidenced by the following: Cancer is not just a Houston problem. Troy Blakeney, attorney for the Houston Professional Firefighters Association, stands by waiting to speakduring a news conference announcing that HFD district chiefs are calling for vote of "no confidence" for Chief Samuel Pea on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, in Houston. Public wasn't warned about lingering chemicals after ITC fire near "He's running for mayor, he can say anything he wants," Blakeney said. He's also covered religion, City Hall and COVID-19. Assistant Chief Justin Wells, Resource Management Assistant Chief Rodney West, Prevention and Homeland Security Exec. Since Hurricane Harvey, the Houston Fire Department has doubled its water-rescue resources. What the union is doing is 100% political and I am certain that the public will see it for what it is. The former deputy chief of the Hopkinton Police Department has been indicted on child rape charges in connection with alleged assaults on a student that occurred while he was working as a school resource officer in the town, officials announced Monday. On June 30, 2021, Houston City Council voted to approve an Ordinance providing Houston Firefighters with an 18 percent pay raise over 3 fiscal years. We need to promote from within the ranks and work to restore morale within the department." According to the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, more than 90 HFD district chiefs signed a letter calling for the vote on the fire chief by HPFFA members. Funeral Services for - Retired Houston Firefighters | Facebook In a statement, Pea said that he has had an open door policy while leading the department, and that he stood by the work and significant progress HFD has made in maintaining its fleet, protecting firefighters from cancer and equipping them for flood response. More than 3,000 firefighters made efforts to go to the Association offices to vote on this resolution. On Tuesday, Mayor Sylvester Turner released a statement in support of ChiefPea: "I have every confidence in Chief Sam Pena. Sam Pea, Houston Fire Chief. City of Houston Fire Department ( HFD) is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Houston, Texas, United States, the fourth largest city in the United States. District chief to lead Houston Fire Department The citizens of Houston have suffered enough.. Bill King and Dwight Boykins declined comment. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Does Houston have enough firefighters to protect its residents? 3367 - 12th Street PO Box 370 Houston, BC V0J 1Z0 Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm (closed on Holidays) Contact Administration. Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved. The last 'no-confidence' vote against a Houston fire chief was in 2002. Milwaukee Fire Department can't sustain more budget cuts in 2024, chief Chief Pea has served in the City of Houston Unified Command directing the Houston Fire Department assets during Hurricane Harvey, Tropical Storm Imelda, Tropical Storm Beta, Hurricane Nicholas, Winter Storm Uri, Super Bowl 51, World Series 2017, 2019, 2021, and the Watson Grinding explosion in 2020. September 17, 2020 District of Houston. Firefighters plan no confidence vote on Chief Pea. A native of San Francisco, he graduated from Northwestern University in 2017 with degrees in journalism and political science, and has interned for the Tampa Bay Times, Washington Post and Fortune magazine. The mayor and fire chief have blamed, ridiculed and threatened the firefighters during this time, but the firefighters have continued to show up to work and do the best they can. 1 follower Join to view profile Houston Fire Department. "Last month, he secured more than $3 million in grant funding to install health and safety equipment in 30 stations to protect firefighters from cancer related hazards. The third Houston firefighter to die from the virus, Searcy's colleagues . Houston Fire District Chief Chris Chavez stands by waiting to speak during a news conference announcing that HFD district chiefs are calling for vote of "no confidence" for Chief Samuel Pea on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, in Houston. 0 I know that at the core of their discontent is the union's inability to negotiate a contract for its members. The plan would move HFD to a three-shift model, 2011, 3rd ed. Generator vs power station: Which one is right for you? Pea and Turner separately called the criticisms unfair and said the vote was part of a broader political campaign to discredit the citys current leadership. Then-chief Chris Connealy was facing criticism over staffing following a firefighter death. Interview: Former SF Fire Commissioner Don Carmignani says charges may be dropped in brutal attack 11:43. ", "Man, it's not politics," Houston Fire Department District Chief Mo Davis told reporters Tuesday afternoon. Here's what the data says. 1984 Press Photo Members of Houston Opera Studio in costume - hca28828 (#275607134313) . Completion date estimated late 2014 or early 2015. He also recently announced the completion of training for an 80-person Water Strike Team to focus on water-rescue missions. More than 90 HFD district chiefs signed on to the no confidence vote against the chief. I know that at the core of their discontent is the union's inability to negotiate a contract for its members.Our firefighters and the community deserve to have the best equipment and materials we can afford and I stand by our work and the significant progress we've made in the last two years in addressing the state of the fleet, firefighter cancer prevention initiatives, and flood response equipment and training.My focus will remain on working to resolve the challenges we face. . His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. After COVID-related death, HFD Capt. Tommy Searcy - Houston Chronicle The City of Houston deserves nothing less than a professional Fire Department ready to preserve the public safety and care for the most vulnerable in our community.". City of Houston Fire Department is a Fire Station, located at: 600 Jefferson St., 7th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002. . They say it's been decimated by budget cuts, shift adjustment threats, and low pay. District Chiefs to Give Houston Fire Chief a 'No Confidence' Vote - FirefighterNation: Fire Rescue - Firefighting News and Community "Man, it's not politics," Houston Fire Department. According to HPFFA, 3,018 Houston firefighters signed the resolution rejecting the leadership of Chief Pea. Houston's Fire Department is the third-largest in the United States. | FireLawBlog.com & Curt Varone |, Houston Chiefs Prevail in Suit Brought By A District Chief, United-States-Court-of-Appeals-for-the-Fifth-Circuit-St, Demoted Captain Sues CalFire Alleging Disability Discrimination and Retaliation, Catching Up on Past Headlines: San Jose CA and Westfield MA, May 3, 2023 - Advanced Disciplinary Issues: Credibility Determinations, May 11, 2023 - Advanced FLSA: Calculating Regular Rate for Firefighters and other First Responders, May 16-18, 2023 - AManaging Disciplinary Challenges in the Fire Service, Recently Fired Cincinnati Fire Chief Sues City, Mayor and City Manager, Missouri Chief Alleges His Termination Was Retaliation, Truth, lies and deception. Report this profile . Houston Firefighters Union members approve 'no confidence' measure The plan would move HFD to a three-shift model, stood by the work and significant progress, Galveston ISD superintendent blasted over 'chauvinistic' comments, String of mysterious deaths, precise cuts hit Brazos Valley cows, San Marcos OKs plan for armed marshals in elementary schools, Fort Hood confirms death of second female soldier since March, San Antonio to return looted Roman bust found at Texas Goodwill. History; Fire Chiefs; Equipment; Smoke Alarms; Ambulance Services ; RCMP information; Emergency Preparedness. HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Houston Firefighters Union membersapproved a "no confidence" measure brought against Houston Fire Department Chief Samuel Pea. Staffing Office. For the Public Protection Classification (PPC) / ISO Rating - visit the Texas Fire Marshal Website >>>*Because this rating is based on more than just fire services, Pea completed his paramedic training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center EMS Division in 1998. FOX 26 Reporter Greg Groogan spoke with Firefighter Union President Marty Lancton and a retired Houston Fire Department District Chief about whether the city does have enough first responders to protect its residents. ", Pena turned down an interview request from ABC13, but told us in a statement he considers it an "honor to lead the Houston Fire Department. The facts as explained by the Fifth Circuit: Chief Dunbar sued Chief Pea and Chief Garcia alleging a violation of his First Amendment rights. 149 0 obj <> endobj We must focus on fighting fires and floods, and for the resources needed. DEER PARK A week after the massive chemical fire that spewed toxic smoke over this Houston suburb had been extinguished in March 2019, Mario Ochoa cradled his 4-year-old son and prayed the .