Audit Critical of OR FFs Washing Personal Vehicles On-Duty

A fraud tip last summer has led to an audit investigation that concluded a Portland firefighter wasted city water washing his personal vehicle while on-duty.

After receiving the complaint and subsequent investigation, the firefighter acknowledged he washed his personal vehicle using the city's water.

Isacc McLennan, President of Portland Firefighters IAFF Local 43 told Oregon Public Broadcasting, “I just don’t understand why the auditor would even address this issue, this is a longstanding practice. This is something that’s been entrenched in our culture since automobiles and water existed together.”

Portland auditor Mary Hull Caballero referred to a city-wide rule that prohibits the use of government resource for similar practices and chided the Fire Bureau for allowing it to happen.

Her report called on the Fire Bureau to hold up its responsibility to enforce city rules and other aspects of this type of violation including the publics perception of this practice.

In response to this report, the Fire Bureau said it would draft a policy clarifying what is and is not personal use, including washing personal vehicles. 

The Fire Bureau said it will work with Human Resource’s Labor Relations staff if a new policy requires bargaining.