SAN ANTONIO – The City of Leon Valley authorized an internal investigation in July of 2018 into its fire department's actions regarding safety and administrative policies.
- Five members were accused, including Fire Chief Luis Valdez
- Over 20 people interviewed, including past and future members of department
- Safety, favoritism, harassment among accusations
Spectrum News requested more information on the investigation and received an open records response from the city Wednesday morning.
READ MORE | Leon Valley authorizes $20K for internal investigation
According to the report, five members of the City of Leon Fire Department were questioned in June 2018 by Kelly Kuenstler, city manager, in connection to various violations.
The members include:
- Fire Chief Luis Valdez
- Assistant Chief Blake Wade
- Firefighter and paramedic Ramiro Cano
- Firefighter and paramedic Eli Garcia
- Firefighter and paramedic Jim Ortiz
These members were questioned about all or some of these allegations, according to reports.
- Alleged policy violations: Safety/SOP Violations
- Allegedly targeting employees for termination, disciplinary action or promotion
- Alleged favoritism of employees
- Allegation of intimating and harassing employees
- Other violations that may arise during investigation
Over 20 fire department members, past and present, were interviewed along with other sources.
Valdez was questioned specifically about safety violations on multiple occasions including a natural gas leak in May and response to a burn victim. He was also questioned about lack of training, tampering with promotional processes, improper behavior, favoritism, open-door policy violations and more.
READ MORE | Gas leak in Leon Valley prompts evacuations
In conclusion to the interview, Valdez stated he skipped several positions when being promoted to chief which led him to fail at times in the position. He also said he lacked a mentor to lean on when making decisions.
Wade, along with the other members questioned, was accused mainly of creating a hostile environment.
One major situation was writing captured on a write board that said: “If you feel berated by anyone please make them aware asap so it can be addressed.” The second statement read: “Even a RAT knows when to jump ship.” It included a drawing of a mouse.
Wade was accused of calling a group of members “faggots” and making sexual comments toward a female student.
Cano lost his paramedic license and when he further violated rules, he was not disciplined.
All members were accused of violating the open-door policy, in concerns to creating a toxic work environment.
Adolf Zubia, A to Z Fire & Code Consulting, LLC, also reached out to Kuenstler in concerns to complaints filed against Captain Todd Morgan. No further action has reported toward Morgan.
At the end of the investigation, Valdez sumbitted his resignation and was subsequently hired by the City of Converse as their Fire Chief.
Valdez contacted Spectrum News with a written statement:
"First, let me say that I love everyone in Leon Valley and am very blessed to have served there, I wish them well.
Regarding the investigation, there is no doubt that there were a few areas that needed improvement such as safety and policy management. We can and should all work towards improving ourselves always. I have learned quite a bit from this and have taken steps myself. I look forward to watching Leon Valley Fire Department move forward and improve, I will be glad to help in any way I can. God bless them all."
Kuenstler said corrective action was taken in regards to the other members.