A new audit shows officials and employees of the Orange County Fire Authority are concerned about “accountability, discipline and leadership” within the agency.
The audit found “serious issues” within the O.C. fire agency, prompting its supervisor Todd Spitzer to call for Chief Keith Richter’s resignation.
Employees interviewed said “leadership is lacking, disciplinary actions are inconsistent and promotions often go to those who fall in line with the chief,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Bullying, harassment and retaliation are also common within the agency, the audit by Management Partners revealed.
Management Partners, which submitted 29 recommendations, was retained by the agency last fall for $99,500.
Of the 532 employees who participated in the Management Partners’ survey, just 17 percent agreed with the statement “morale in the department is good.”
Richter, the fire chief, said there were some troubling issues but nothing that couldn’t be fixed.
The fire agency serves 23 cities and unincorporated Orange County.
Read the full article here.
