Fairfax County fire chief retires amid controversy

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A little more than two-weeks-ago, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department Battalion Chief Kathleen Stanley’s letter resigning as Women’s Program Officer became public. Today (Friday), the person Chief Stanley sent that letter to and whose leadership she questioned announced his retirement. Richard Bowers, who has been chief of the department for five years, said he will be leaving on April 30.

For almost two years, Bowers has struggled to get out from under accusations of sexual harassment and discrimination in the department that surfaced after the suicide of Firefighter Nicole Mittendorff. Stanley’s letter gives a very different impression of the progress the department has made than the one provided by Bowers and his supporters.

Initially, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova backed Bowers and his description that Stanley’s accusations were misleading. A week later, Bulova announced the county executive would conduct an investigation of the allegations.

Stanley claimed that Bowers and his command staff didn’t properly handle complaints from women in the department. Similar accusations were made in 2015.

From Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department website:

Earlier this afternoon, Fire Chief Richard Bowers announced his retirement to the men and women of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Following his announcement, he sent the following message to all personnel.

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