In September of last year, we became aware of reports The Woodlands Fire Department’s Fire and Life Safety Educator (FLSE) was using a fire department van for personal use. We started an investigation into this matter and in February of this year we published a blog regarding our findings.

In response to this blog, Don Norrell, General Manager of the Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC), sent us this letter. The letter basically makes the accusation that investigative reporting is scaring the employees of the WCSC. The letter also asks for the van activity log to be removed from the site.

Due to the investigation, a new policy was developed and implemented in March of 2007. The new policy addressed specific details regarding who can and who cannot operate a department vehicle. The policy also assigns one of three levels to individuals who operate department vehicles.

Level One - allows full on-duty as well as off-duty use of the vehicle for fire department as well as non-fire department related activity. For example, a Deputy Chief would be given a level one vehicle assignment. This assignment would allow the Deputy Chief to respond immediately to an emergency scene regardless of their location.
Level Two - allows on-duty as well as off-duty use of a vehicle to conduct fire department business.
Level Three - allows on-duty use of a vehicle to conduct fire department business.

Additionally, the new policy states that non-fire department personnel are forbidden from operating fire department vehicles.

We have learned that two events took place on August 7, 2007: the day of the Hughes-Christensen explosion and fire. One of the events appeared to violate this new vehicle policy and the other incident appeared to violate fire department rules and regulations requiring personnel to operate safely and use good judgment at emergency incidents as well as following proper incident command procedures.

Both events concerned the FLSE. In the first event she apparently, “stepped out in front of a moving fire engine in [an] attempt to stop the vehicle…” as it was moving on the scene of the Hughes-Christensen fire. She also, according to the Disciplinary Action Form, “[a]ttempt[ed] to grab the moving fire engine operating at an emergency location.” We have obtained emails from three individuals involved in this particular incident. One email from the driver of the fire engine (August 13, 2007), one email from the lieutenant of the fire engine (August 8, 2007) and one email from the FLSE (August 9, 2007). The emails describe the incident from each person’s point of view.

During the course of the second event, we obtained photos of a violation of the vehicle use policy. The photos show an individual exiting the driver-side of the fire department van. This individual, later confirmed by documentation provided by the FLSE, is not an employee of the fire department. In the documentation provided by the FLSE, she identifies the individual driving the fire department van as George. Closer examination of the photos appear to show George, the FLSE’s spouse, is wearing a Woodlands Fire Department shirt, which in the past has been reserved for fire department administrative personnel only.

As a result of the subsequent investigation, the FLSE received a memorandum and two Disciplinary Action Forms regarding her performance at the scene as well as her violation of the department’s vehicle policy. These documents were dated August 16, 2007 and most were signed by the FLSE on August 21, 2007.

Ten days after signing the disciplinary documents, an email dated August 31, 2007 was sent from Chief Benson to the “Fire Department”. The email simply states the FLSE is no longer with The Woodlands Fire Department.

Related Information

Personal Use of Woodlands Fire Department Vehicle?
Call for Help
Mr. Norrell’s Letter Regarding the FD Van
Vehicle Assignment and Use Policy - Fire Department
Firefighter’s Description of FSLE Actions
Lieutenant’s Description of FSLE’s Actions
FLSE Danner’s Description of her Actions
Photos of a Violation of the Vehicle Use Policy
Deputy Chief’s Memo to FSLE Regarding Incidences
Disciplinary Action Forms - FSLE
Chief Benson’s Email to Fire Department - FLSE