The Texas State Association of Fire Fighters and the Lancaster Professional Firefighters Association filed a grievance letter to the city.
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LANCASTER, Texas — In the growing City of Lancaster, three fire stations serve more than 41,000 residents.
On October 7, an ambulance, Medic 1, was taken out of service for minor repairs.
"It happens all the time. Things break," said Brett Cook, President of the Lancaster Professional Firefighters Association.
Cook says typically, they would use a backup reserve unit, but that was out-of-service too. So the next option was to use an ambulance.
"Get into an ambulance loaned from another city or respond in a squad-style vehicle," said Cook.
However, on October 7 that didn't happen either. Cook believes it left the Lancaster Fire Department understaffed with only 16 members on duty, breaking city policy.
"Policy 1.07 and 1.08," said Cook.
The procedure states: It is the policy of the Lancaster Fire Department to have minimum staffing on duty of 18 members per shift...
The policy was approved and signed into effect by Fire Chief Kenneth Johnson in 2022.
"The first time in the city's history, we decided to send two people home because they didn't have a vehicle to ride," said Cook. "When we take two members away, we're now at a handicap."
The Lancaster Professional Firefighters Association posted the situation on their Facebook page to let citizens know their concerns.
Medic 1 was back in service in less than 24 hours. But Cook is worried that dropping staffing levels below policy minimums could happen again.
The City of Lancaster said in a statement to WFAA, "Regarding the recent concerns raised about Medic 1 temporarily being out of service, it is important to clarify that this was a strategic internal decision made in alignment with operational procedures. At no time was the safety of our community jeopardized. Medic 1 was returned to service promptly. Within less than 24hrs, Medic 1 was placed back in service and the city’s emergency response remained fully capable throughout this brief period."
Above the Lancaster Professional Firefighters Association, the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters (TSAFF) stepped in, sending a grievance letter to Lancaster city leaders on Monday. The letter is beyond the staffing concerns and discusses their concerns about Chief Johnson's leadership.
"When he drops the staffing below minimum standards, absolutely, he is putting those firefighters and the citizens of Lancaster at risk," said John Riddle, President of TSAFF.
Riddle's letter refers to a church sermon on October 13 at a church in Lancaster where Chief Johnson also serves as the pastor. The sermon was live-streamed on Facebook and has since been deleted. To his church members, Johnson referred to Brett Cook and said, "The President of the Association came to meet with me. Wanted to try to explain to me his position."
During the sermon, Johnson described his perspective.
"It was to the benefit of the city, the benefit of the citizens, but it wasn't to their benefit so they were coming after me," Johnson said.
He continued to preach, "False prophets still exist, but when they post you on Facebook."
He uses terms like "devil" and "Satan", prompting TSAFF to step in.
"It is absolutely an inappropriate setting. There is no reason for him to be at his church preaching a sermon and calling the people that he represents demons. That is ridiculous," said Riddle. "Does the city support and condone the fire chief's actions?"
In a statement to WFAA, the City of Lancaster said, "We have received the letter from the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters (TSAFF), which reflects a difference of opinion on internal management processes, not the quality or reliability of our public safety services. While we respect the views of TSAFF, it is critical to underscore that this is not an issue of public safety but rather a procedural disagreement related to the operational decisions.
The City of Lancaster will continue to manage staffing and resources efficiently, always with the safety of our citizens at the forefront. We are confident in our ability to provide exceptional emergency services."
Fire Chief Johnson did not respond to WFAA's request for an interview.
WFAA also reached out to all Lancaster City Council members and did not hear a response at the time of publication.
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