Several Texas Firefighters Quit After Chief Is Dismissed

The City Council voted Thursday night to fire Fire Chief Russell Shelley, and at least a dozen volunteer firefighters quit in protest, Mayor Mike Wasser said.

Three council members voted to fire Shelley and two abstained, including the fire chief's wife, Amy Shelley, said Wasser, who previously served as fire chief for 20 years.

The termination stemmed from controversy over Shelley's relationship to the American Communications Network and a proposal for the city to switch electricity providers, Wasser said.

Shelley said late Thursday that he was devastated by his firing and denied using his relationship to the company improperly.