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Resident and longtime firefighter urges council to review fire‑department leadership
Summary
Randy Ashley, a resident, professional firefighter and former council member, told the Anna City Council the department needs an honest review of leadership, citing declining morale, retention problems and survey figures he says show low confidence in current leadership.
Randy Ashley, introduced from the public‑comment card, told the Anna City Council on July 14 that "our fire department is at a point where decisive leadership is needed." Ashley identified himself as a resident, a professional firefighter in his 32nd year, and a former council member and said the concerns extend beyond isolated incidents to leadership, communication, accountability, morale and retention.
"When firefighters lose confidence in leadership, morale suffers, experienced personnel begin looking elsewhere, recruiting becomes more difficult, and the effectiveness of the department is put at risk," Ashley said, urging the council to "encourage the city manager to conduct a thorough and honest evaluation of the department's leadership and organizational culture." He cited survey numbers ("95, 84, and 82%") and asked the council to "listen to the employees" and review retention trends and operational effectiveness. The council did not take immediate action during the meeting; Ashley asked the council to insist on accountability if the evidence shows confidence cannot be restored.
