Sugar Land sees communication 'breakdown' in fire department
Firefighters group wants third-party investigation

By FRANCISCA ORTEGA
Chronicle Correspondent
Read Her Full Story Here

The president of a Sugar Land firefighters association said he will ask City Council for a third-party investigation into claims of ethical and financial problems in the fire department after a team of city staff members rejected the allegations.

"The morale and the trust are at an all-time low. There's never been a bigger lack of trust than there is right now under this current leadership," association president Donnie Tomlinson said.

Meanwhile, City Manager Allen Bogard said the city must act to address a "breakdown in communication" within the department. He added that a May city-led investigation into association claims of safety problems in the department has prompted the city to study how to create a fleet manager position to oversee fire-equipment safety.

On April 25, 2008 the Sugar Land Professional Firefighters Association (SLPFA) submitted a letter to the City Council of Sugar Land outlining 27 concerns involving Safety, Ethical and Fiscal Responsibility. These occurred in the Fire Department during the past 5 years under the direction of Fire Chief Dannie Smith. In this initial letter, it was stated, “The level of trust between the firefighters and their administration is at an all-time low, caused by poor communication, intimidation tactics and outright lies, resulting in extremely low morale throughout the department.”

irresponsibility or questionable ethics by the Fire Chief or other individuals or officials named in the Association letter.” The latest Media Statement also stated in regards to the safety issues, “…found no substantial threat to citizens or fire personnel.” This is despite the report given by the City Manager appointed Safety Task Force that validated 9 of the 13 safety concerns, and found that 3 of the 9 were recommended for immediate action to be taken.

Our next Association meeting will be held on Thursday, July 10th at 7:!5 pm. at the usual location in Stafford. Hope to see everyone there!

By Barbara Fulenwider

Members of the Sugar Land Firefighters Association Local 4255 wrote a letter to city council on April 25 that included their concerns regarding safety, fiscal responsibility and ethics.

Donnie Tomlinson, president of Local 4255, which he said has 60 members and represents 65 percent of all Sugar Land firefighters, said there were 13 safety concerns, eight concerning fiscal responsibility and six ethics concerns for a total of 27. “This letter was written in good faith to city council because we feel they didn’t know what all was going on. We submitted it to city council with the good faith that they would investigate and take the necessary actions once they confirmed the problems that we feel need correcting,” Tomlinson said.

Saturday May 10, 2008 will be the date for the big party this year. All Association members and their immediate family are invited to attend. There will be FREE food and drinks, fun stuff for the kids to do, and FREE prize giveaways all day.

The party will be at Dustin Smith's house in Needville again this year. We will start around 2:00 pm, and go till whenever.

We will also be conducting a short Association meeting during the event to discuss some important issues.

This party is for Union members only. Please bring a side dish with you, and come out for some good fun, good friends, and brotherhood.

See you there.

Hello everyone, just a quick notice regarding our next Association meeting...

Date: Thursday, Feb. 7th (B-shift)

Time: Meeting starts promptly at 7:30 pm, should last about an hour

Place: 12919 SW Freeway, Suite 190
Stafford, TX (off of feeder road, right before Hooters)

Also, we have selected the date for the 2nd Annual SLPFF Member Appreciation Party. It will be held on Saturday, May 10th at Dustin Smith's house. This is a B-shift day since last year it was held on C-shift, so we are hoping for a strong showing of C-shifters and their families at the party. More information will be coming out soon.

Come on out and bring your family to our first joint fundraising venture with SLPD's Officer's Association.

Friday, November 9th
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sugar Land Community Center

Tickets are available for $5 each (cost at door will be $7)
This event is open to the public and all proceeds will be split between our 2 organizations
We can also use some volunteers to help serve food, setup tables, sell tickets, etc.

For more information, or to purchase tickets...contact Donnie

Press Release Contact: Rick Hartley
October 2, 2007 The 100 Club
(713) 952-0100

For Immediate Release
100 Club Requests Donations to “Survivor’s Fund”
After the Death of Harris County Precinct 5
Deputy Constable Jason Norling
 

The 100 Club announced today that donations are being accepted
to its “Survivor’s Fund” which provides benefits to the dependents
of peace officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.
Harris County Precinct 5 Deputy Constable Jason Norling, 38, was
killed Monday morning, October 1, 2007, when he was hit by a
vehicle on the Westpark Tollway. Deputy Norling is survived by
his wife, Lisa.

A $10,000 check will be given immediately to Deputy Norling’s
family to assist with any needs they may have. Additional
financial support for the family will be provided, after a review, to
include current financial needs, is made by the Club.
If you wish to help, contributions may be made at
www.the100club.org

or mailed to 100 Club Survivor’s
Fund – 1233 West Loop South – Suite 1250, Houston, TX
77027-9107. 100% of “Survivor’s Fund” donations go to the
dependents of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in
the line of duty.
 

The 100 Club’s 26,800 members, located in eighteen counties
surrounding Houston, band together for the purpose of aiding the
dependents of officers and firefighters. We invite the community
to join with us in this effort.

Our next meeting is coming up. See you all there!!!