Wichita's mayor fires back after firefighters union ethics complaint

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Update: Wichita Mayor Lily Wu responded to the ethics complaint against her filed by the Wichita firefighters union, IAFF Local 35. The complaint centered on a meeting Wu reportedly had with Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow, where the union said Wu told the chief that the department needed to cut 42 positions.

Wu made the following statement:

“While the firefighters union chose to file a false and frivolous complaint and then release the allegations via press release in an apparent attempt to further their goal of damaging my reputation, I respect the Ethics Committee's right to do its work confidentially and without public interference .

I firmly reject all allegations. I will respond in writing tomorrow (Tuesday) and will cooperate fully with any further investigations.

My support for public safety, including the Wichita Fire Department, is well documented. This is simply a continuation of the union’s repeated attacks and attempts to tarnish my reputation that began during last year’s mayoral campaign.”

The union representing Wichita firefighters filed an ethics complaint against Wichita Mayor Lily Wu. The complaint concerns a meeting between the mayor and Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow and a personnel-related directive given outside of a public meeting.

The International Association of Firefighters, Local 135 (IAFF Local 35) said it filed its complaint against Wu last Wednesday, Oct. 23, alleging he “improperly influenced and directed a department chief.” The union pointed to a city ordinance that they said the mayor violated.

“During a meeting with Chief Snow, IAFF Local 135 President Ted Bush was informed by Chief Snow that Mayor Lily Wu came to her individually and outside of public City Council meetings or actions and informed her that Chief Snow must be fired 42 Wichita Fire Department employees will be laid off by the end of 2025 and that it has no choice in the matter,” the union said.

IAFF Local 135 said Chief Snow told Bush that the meeting was at Wu's sole discretion.

“As communicated by Chief Snow, Mayor Wu visited her office, informed her of the above, and told her that she did not care how she was doing, but that she needed to reduce staff by 42 positions. Chief Snow agreed to the layoffs but noted the extremely negative impact it would have on the Wichita Fire Department and the City of Wichita,” the union said.

The union pointed to the ordinance that the mayor violated. In a press release announcing its complaint, IAFF Local 35 offered the following wording of the ordinance.

Individual members of the Council shall not give instructions or instructions to department heads or other City employees, who shall immediately forward such instructions to the City Manager, who in turn shall bring such improper actions to the attention of the entire Council so that such action may be taken as may be appropriate in each individual case .” (Ordinance No. 47-858, Section 17, 03/28/08).

“Mayor Wu's communication to Chief Snow clearly violated the above ordinance and attempted to exert undue influence and/or coercion by a single member of the City Council over a department head, and particularly in the manner in which the department head runs his department “strictly prohibited by regulation is inappropriate and unethical,” IAFF Local 35 said in its press release.

The union also cited a study commissioned by the city of Wichita that “showed the department is currently short over 100 members.”

In September 2022, The city of Wichita received a $10.2 million grant from FEMA to hire 42 firefighters. Chief Snow said the department planned to add two more truck companies. She said the department may also add a fourth firefighter to the department's existing truck companies.

Regarding the complaint against the mayor of Wichita, Union President Ted Bush issued the following statement:

“As a concerned member of Local 135 and a member of this community, I believe that transparency and accountability are critical to maintaining public trust in our city officials and our public safety services. For this reason, any potential violation by public officials of city ordinances or ethical standards should be thoroughly and fairly investigated. We all count on a fair and transparent process by the City of Wichita Ethics Committee and have confidence in the committee's ability to objectively evaluate the evidence and make a decision.

Spending decisions are made by the entire City Council and the City Manager's Office. Hiring decisions are the responsibility of departments. Any attempt to circumvent this process is deeply worrying. In particular, the impact of this conversation could have significantly impacted our ability to protect the citizens of Wichita and each other.

The citizens of Wichita and the firefighters who serve them deserve leaders who act with honesty and integrity – and it is critical that this matter be addressed with the seriousness it deserves. If the investigation confirms that local ordinances and/or ethical guidelines have been violated, appropriate action should be taken as quickly as possible.”

The union also responded forcefully to reported calls for staff cuts

Copyright 2024 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]