Ponce Inlet fire chief disciplined for hostile working environment, investigation reveals

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — An investigation from the city of Ponce Inlet has found that the Ponce Inlet fire chief created a hostile working environment, and he has been disciplined.

The city released its investigation report Friday into Fire Chief Dan Scales and said that he violated Town Policy.

As part of the punishment, Jeaneen Witt, the town manager of Ponce Inlet, has said she plans to place Scales on unpaid suspension for 120 hours, his base pay will be reduced by 6 percent, he’ll be placed on probation for one year, he must seek Police Chief Fabrizio’s review and approval on all management decisions regarding personnel under his command during the one-year probationary period and he must complete 40 hours of fire management training to be approved in advance, the investigation said.

Scales, who has been with the department since 2005, has been asked to meet with Witt Monday to prove why he shouldn’t be disciplined.

The town manager also ordered Scales to stop any behavior that is in violation of a hostile work environment. That would include unwanted foul language, name-calling and any threat of job loss, whether direct or indirect in nature. If Scales violates any of the city's terms, he'll be fired, the town manager said.

In a statement to Channel 9's Julie Salomone, Scales said: "I have reviewed the findings of the Internal Affairs Investigation and take full responsibility for my actions. I apologize for causing the town and fire department any adverse attention because of my actions. It is my intention to learn from the findings and make improvements to be a better Fire Chief."

Nine members of the Ponce Inlet Professional Firefighters, Local 4140, along with three fire department employees filed a complaint about Scales to the city on Dec. 5, and the investigation began Dec. 8 – Jan. 31.

A lieutenant with the Ponce Inlet Fire Department told investigators that he was recently suspended pending termination for insubordination, which he felt was in retaliation for the filing of the complaint against Scales. The same lieutenant said that Scales retaliated against the firefighter’s union and started making them open and close all town parks, as well as do property and house checks, which in the past was the duty of a law enforcement officer; changed overtime policy without negotiating it; allowed reserves to fill overtime shifts; as well as other grievances.

Another employee with the city of Ponce Inlet complained that Scales said awful things about the fire department and she was upset with the way Scales treated her. She also complained that Scales would undermine her work, intimidated her and disrespected her. The woman also said that Scales told her that he wanted to fire certain firefighters because of a previous harassment complaint.

Another lieutenant said during an interview with investigators that he was called into Scales office several times a day on different occasions and berated for his actions. At first, the lieutenant couldn’t think of any hostile situations, but then reflected later about when Scales said the lieutenant had a “mangina” when the firefighter became dehydrated during a fire call and had to receive an IV for dehydration.

Other firefighters recalled low morale within the fire department.

Cox Media Group