HARLINGEN — Many firefighters are charging poor leadership and a short staff could jeopardize their ability to fight fires.
In a 54-page letter that includes survey results, many members of the local firefighters’ union blame Fire Chief Roy Rubio for what they claim are problems facing the department.
In the letter to city officials, 68 of the union’s 96 members responded to the survey which was presented to City Manager Dan Serna.
“A lot of the members have concerns,” union President Julio Zetina said yesterday. “They’re very serious. These issues are more safety oriented. We’re waiting to see if there’s going to be a reaction from the city. Our concerns are falling on deaf ears in regard to our fire chief.”
Serna declined comment.
“This a personnel matter and an internal issue and we’re going to treat it as such,” Serna only said.
Rubio, who was reached late yesterday morning, said he declined comment.
In the survey, the union lists concerns followed by members’ comments.
Many of the comments focus on Rubio, often blamed for lack of leadership.
Rubio, who has served as McAllen’s fire chief, has worked as fire chief here since 2014, when then-City Manager Carlos Yerena hired him.
Out of 68 respondents, 40 rated the fire department’s administration as “poor,” according to the survey.
“There seems to be no direction from the department head,” Zetina said.
Asked about Rubio’s leadership, 46 described it as “poor.”
“Guys have said he lacks leadership qualities,” Zetina said.
Zetina said favoritism is a problem in the department with 110 firefighters.
“There seems to be a lot of favoritism in this department,” Zetina said. “We think the chief has demonstrated that many times, in training, overtime — if you’re not within that little group, your opinion doesn’t count. You’re not privy to information.”
Many of the union’s concerns surround short-handed shifts often blamed on Rubio’s staffing of the city’s new fire station on Harlingen’s growing west side.
Zetina said Rubio transferred some firefighters from the city’s downtown fire station to the new station at Stuart Place and Brennaman roads, leaving the central station short-staffed.
In the survey, 44 of the 68 respondents described the department’s ability to fight two simultaneous structure fires in different parts of town as “poor.”
Under such a scenario, the department would have to request help from neighboring fire departments, many union members stated in their comments.
Other concerns surround equipment, such as fire trucks, and maintenance.
The union’s letter and survey are not part of ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with the city.
The survey says
How would you rate the Fire Administration on safety regarding manpower on the fire ground as it is recommended/required under NFPA 1710?
Excellent: 3
Good: 10
Fair: 16
Poor: 39
Comments:
The currant (sic) manpower and staffing levels are ina dequate to protect the city of Harlingen, county and contract cities. The removal of staff from central station and the removal of the rescue truck will result in unnecessary injuries and or deaths within the department and general public.
Any major incident exhausts our manpower, leaving the rest of the city undermanned and unprotected.
With the current “run card” and the removal of personnel and gear from central station, how confident are you that the Harlingen Fire Department would be able to safely work two structure fires in our response territory?
Excellent: 3
Good: 6
Fair: 15
Poor: 44
Comments:
We would make it work, however I believe we need two engines at Station No. 1.
I believe the captains/IC will be able to release or call mutual aid as needed
Four engine companies at structure fires are more than enough to complete a job — if you need more manpower just ask. Any more incidents, call mutual aid.
It is not possible to safely and effectively extinguish two structure fires.
We have been stretched very thin and ultimately need to be fully-staffed to avoid injuries or worse.
Not enough manpower — we would definitely need mutual aid.
We can’t. Mutual aid would be necessary.
How well would you rate our fire administration in managing our fire department?
Excellent: 2
Good: 7
Fair: 19
Poor: 40
Comments:
Chief XXXX and Assistant Chief XXXX are doing an excellent job.
No complaints.
Chief shows his lack of experience very well
Dealing with what we have, trying to improve the way we were.
Don’t understand our long-term direction. We are going in too many directions at once.
Some in fire administration are great. Some not so much.
Our department is being run into the ground. The same way (chief) tried to do with the McAllen Fire Department.
Remove the fire chief from office and my answer to the question would be excellent
Our department is divided — some due to favoritism. The three divisions have been torn apart. Nobody knows who does what anymore. Department seems to run on emails now.
The very top of our administration shows a complete lack of understanding about how the department even works.
The chief does not know how to manage
The department is controlled by a select few
How would you rate the fire chief’s performance in leading this department?
Excellent: 2
Good: 5
Fair: 15
Poor: 46
Comments:
Chief is doing a great job but we have firefighters that want to see him fail for no reason at all.
Better than ever before.
Some aspects are good, like support for training others. Bad — like short-staffing central station and an unclear vision and unclear run card.
Can’t make decisions, doesn’t want to be held accountable for his decisions and never gives a straight answer.
He doesn’t know how to run a fire department. Run it to the ground maybe.
I feel favoritism in this department is what is causing friction amongst the shifts. Everyone sees it. It is talked about often.
Training has been good.
Sorry, but he’s not a leader.
He provides no leadership, only very poor management.
He is the cause of the entire department’s morale going down.
