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Safety, diversity rank high on new Houston FD chief’s agenda

By James Pinkerton in The Houston Chronicle
In his introductory news conference, Terry Garrison said his top priorities are firefighter safety and promoting cultural diversity through recruiting and training. Terry Garrison, a tall man with an almost constant grin, is an experienced and well-educated administrator whose management style draws on openness and inclusiveness, say fire and [...]

Houston’s first female firefighter wants to become HFD’s first female chief

From KHOU News, Houston
Houston’s first female firefighter wants to come out of retirement for what she hopes will be another first: Houston’s first female fire chief. Linda Honeycutt has been working as a chiropractor for the past several years. She retired from the Houston Fire Department in 1997 after working her way up to the [...]

Houston firefighter treated for alcohol problems, depression

By Peggy O’Hare in The Houston Chronicle
Houston firefighter Jane Draycott has checked in to a treatment center for clinical depression and alcohol problems after her arrest Monday when authorities said she tried to shoplift from a Spring Walmart, her husband and lawyers said Thursday.
Despite Draycott’s problems, they said, her allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination [...]

Three Odessa Firefighters Promoted

From KWES News, Odessa
Three of Odessa’s bravest are getting moved up in the ranks. On Tuesday, the fire department announced the promotions of Jim Fowler, Roy Barner and Brock Pittman.
Fowler and Barner earned the rank of Captain and Pittman earned the rank of Engineer.
A celebration ceremony was held at the Central Fire Station to acknowledge [...]

Troubles mount for female Houston firefighter

Woman Hospitalized after ArrestUpdate: Related story from KPRC News, Houston
By Peggy O’Hare and Dale Lezon in The Houston Chronicle
A female Houston firefighter who last year accused her colleagues of sexual harassment “just cracked under the pressure and emotional strain of all that’s been going on” when she tried leaving a Spring Walmart without paying for [...]

Houston fire chief candidates expected to visit mayor

From KHOU News, Houston
Some of the Houston Fire Department Chief candidates were expected to be in Houston Wednesday at the very least to meet with the Mayor’s staff, sources inside the fire department said.
Houston Mayor Annise Parker has previously stated that she wanted the city’s next fire chief to come from outside the department. As [...]

Houston firefighter at center of a harassment scandal arrested for shoplifting at Walmart

By Allison Triarsi at KHOU News, Houston
A firefighter who sparked a citywide controversy after claiming she was harassed by members of the Houston Fire Department is facing a new legal battle. Jane Draycott was arrested for shoplifting at a Spring Walmart on FM 2920 Monday evening. Court documents acquired by 11 News state Draycott [...]