TX Firefighters in Hot Water for Filling Pool Outside of the City

Jan. 13—Just days after allegations surfaced that Weslaco Fire Department personnel and equipment were used to fill a private swimming pool outside the city, officials issued a department-wide memo warning against such abuse of resources.

The Monitor obtained a copy of the Dec. 29, 2022, memo written by Weslaco City Manager Martin Garza Jr. that is addressed to the "fire chief and all fire department personnel" just eight days after the city launched an investigation into the misconduct allegations.

"This memo is to remind all Fire Department employees, personnel, and management that City Personnel Policies, Collective Bargaining Agreement, and State Law prohibit the misuse of City and Fire Department property and personnel," the memo reads, in part.

Garza said the alleged misconduct was brought to his attention on Dec. 19, 2022. The following day, he hired Weslaco City Attorney Juan E. Gonzalez to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations.

The city manager declined to provide further details when reached by The Monitor last week.

Citing city policy against speaking on personnel matters, Garza declined to answer questions about who may be under investigation, if any fire department personnel have been removed from the duty roster pending the investigation's outcome, or even the scope of the investigation itself.

The Monitor has filed a Texas Public Information Act request seeking answers to those and other questions.

In the memo he sent to the department, Garza reminded firefighters that "the use of City property and personnel for purely personal activities" is prohibited.

He also reminded firefighters of their responsibility to report such misconduct to himself or the fire chief, regardless of their status or rank within the department.

"Any employee, supervisor, or manager of the Fire Department who has knowledge of, or is in violation of such use, is directed to cease said nonconforming practices immediately," the memo states.

Meeting agendas for the Weslaco City Commission indicate at least one person is the target of an investigation — Assistant Fire Chief Gustavo Ramirez.

Listed under the executive session portion of the agenda for both the Jan. 3 meeting, as well as next Tuesday's meeting is an item to discuss the "investigation of the Assistant Fire Chief" with the city attorney.

The Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, or TSAFF, a collective bargaining organization that represents the majority of Weslaco's firefighters, said they're concerned about the investigation and fear their members may be retaliated against.

"The first move in instances like this are going to be made by the city and we're watching that closely with concerns in mind of retaliation against innocent firefighters or actions of that sort," said Erin Powers, communications director for TSAFF on Wednesday.

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