Fairfax county executives release their findings after investigating recent allegations from the top woman officer in the fire and rescue department.
She accused the leadership of tolerating and even defending sexual harassment, retaliation and a hostile work environment.
The department's Women's Initiatives Workgroup conducted a survey with 346 respondents (261 men, 84 women) and found "widespread distrust of senior staff due to lack of transparency and consistency."
The Women's Workgroup also conducted personal interviews with most of the women (161 out of 171).
They were asked, "Have you been mistreated, harassed or ednnied training due to gender in the past five years?" While more than 90% responded "no," the other 10% said they had.
And that's what county leaders say they've focusing on to change.
"Our goal is to be as open and transparent as possible. Period."
Fairfax's new County Executive Bryan Hill, on the job for only 72 days, was thrust into the firestorm, asked to lead an investigation into the scathing allegations from Battalion Chief Kathleen Stanley. She resigned her post as Women's Program Officer on January 31st, listing several specific incidents in which women were allegedly mistreated.
The county's investigation and report, conducted by Deputy County Chief Dave Rohrer responded to each one, detailing whether changes were necessary or whether the incident had been investigated.
In one account, it states a seasoned captain being "publicly harassed by a superior officer," in front of a deputy fire chief and other witnesses.
Rohrer wrote, neither Fairfax County nor the FRD tolerate any form of sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or hostile work environment."
Stanley alleged that "there is a small bevy of man of regularly receive privileges exclusive to them thus perpetuating the Good 'Ol boy network."
The county's response: "To the extent that it exists favoritism special privileges for some, cliques, etc., cannot, and will not, be tolerated. All persons should be treated fairly, held to the same accountability measures, and have equitable opportunities, and this is a leadership responsibility at all levels."
The report not only found leadership problems, but communications problems as well.
"As your communicator, as your leader, I am trying to embrace the fact that we need to communicate and lead better for our fire and rescue team," said Hill.
The issues came to forefront two years ago after firefighter Nicole Mittendorff committed suicide. She had been bullied and harassed online.
After Stanley's letter Mittendorff's husband, Steve Mittendorff, who is a state trooper, called for fire chief Bowers to resign.
Hill said on Tuesday, that he did not tell Bowers to resign, but told him to do what was best for him. Bowers then announced he would retire at the end of April.
"Going forward, what I'm trying to do here in Fairfax County is insure this is a culture that we, we change," said Hill.
Several members of the Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department and its Women's Initiative Group say things are moving in the right direction.
"I think we're stronger as a fire department. We've definitely come together a lot more over this allegation," said firefighter Jennifer Hiner.
"This is our family. Any family that you have that this large, Over a thousand people, you're going to have issues," said technician Alisha Reakoff.
"This fire department is our family. And the guy and girls have been nothing but great with me. So, if anything, we're moving forward, like everyone keeps saying. And we're focusing on good change," said firefighter May Empie.
But Cheri Zosh, one of only three women battalion chiefs in the Fairfax fire department, says more needs to be done.
"We can have all the training, we can having all the policies, for no sexual harassment...but without holding people accountable, then, we're never going to change their environment. And what we do now, we make a practice of transferring individuals, or allowing them to retire, versus holding them accountable for their actions. And then it leads to retaliation for the whistle blower," said Zosh.
After Zosh sued the department in 2016 over harassment and retaliation, she was transferred. Being transferred limits professional advancement and can be considered punishment.
Zosh's lawsuit is one of six against the Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department over the past ten years. Four were tossed out, one was settled and one is now pending.
Fairfax County is conducting a nationwide search for a new fire chief.
The county executive says he plans to have a two to three candidates ready for the board of supervisors to interview by the end June and a new chief in place by July 10, 2018.
