— from Art Lange —
I am writing in response to the statements made by the Orcas Island Fire Department and by our OIFR Commissioners in The Sounder and Orcas Issues about the investigation and report commissioned by the OIFR Commissioners that led to the resignation of our Fire Chief, Mik Preysz. The report is a serious misrepresentation of the truth and is replete with inaccuracies and distortions. If the report was full of distortions and inaccuracies that were both positive and negative, it could be attributed to incompetence. Unfortunately, virtually every distortion and inaccuracy was designed to discredit the Chief.
I was interviewed by the investigator. What I said was misrepresented, distorted and outright fabricated in the report. I have identified over 30 misrepresentations in the report just from what I know to be true about what I said in my interview. The Chief was also interviewed by the investigator. He also has stated that what he said was misrepresented, distorted and outright fabricated. It is reasonable to believe that the statements of some of the others who were interviewed were also likely misrepresented.
A fundamental question is: why would an investigator do such a thing? Did the Commissioners convey, directly or indirectly, to the investigator that they needed a report that would lead to the Chief’s leaving? Given the manner in which the Commissioners handled the entire process, it is very possible that they had a goal in mind before they engaged this investigator’s services (just after removing another investigator they had already hired).
A second fundamental question is: Why would the Commissioners have such an agenda to get rid of the Chief? Were they covering their own vulnerability for the botched manner in which they have handled the whole process? Were there conflicts of interest for any Commissioners? Were they over-reacting to negative information provided by a few people who had agendas of their own? All of these possible explanations have substantial bases in facts.
I do not question the Commissioner’s right to fire anyone in the Fire Chief’s position with just cause. What I question is the manner in which they went about ‘investigating” which resulted in a massively inaccurate report which led to the Chief’s resignation.
I believe that this whole process has been a travesty of justice and fairness. In all my 30+ years of working as a consultant to public and private organizations I have never seen a more biased “hatchet job” performed on someone. A good man’s career has been ruined.
The Commissioners should be held accountable for their abuse of their position and for their actions.
Art,
Is the report available in digital form anywhere for review?
Thank you, Art. It is helpful to have some content beyond the non-information in the official press releases. I would be very interested in obtaining a copy of the report.
Well written Art. I agree with you, there are a lot of questions. I suspect you feel you are blowing against the wind, and I believe there is a reason for that. I have noticed the lack of coverage on this story. A couple huge stories actually. You have to wonder when stories like cattle getting out on the street evokes 10 or so comments in the Islands Sounder, and stories like this none. Another example, a home evasion at gun point generates none?? That should be huge on the island. If this does not seem odd, it should. An exceptional man’s life has been called to the carpet. And it seems brushed under that without regard. There is something VERY wrong about that. Not a first for the island. I would definitely want answers, not just a generic blurb from OIFD. When has anything been a secret with department issues before? Guess it depends on who they are protecting. Just my opinion.
Art, I completely agree. A small politically correct blurb by OIFD is not enough. Not the first time in the island’s history an exceptional man is thrown under the bus due to other’s agendas. I also would love to see the reports, and full disclosure on interviewing methods, the actual interview transcripts, who interpreted them, and conclusions drawn. I have the experience of going through a scenario very similar to this, and finding the results were completely fabricated in order to fit expectations of those funding the study. You have to wonder why. Well I do, seems you do, Art.
Wow… so you are saying it was a witch hunt? The question is, who wanted him out, and why? A full investigation is warranted. We the Public should demand it.
Not to mention – no small thing if you remember things like McCarthyism – if (former) Chief Preysz was innocent of whatever the accusations said, it doesn’t matter – his career was ruined by slander and suppositions, and the ruining of someone’s career sticks for years, maybe for life.
NINETEEN COMPLAINTANTS! This was not “made up”.
The only one here spreading manure is Mr. Lange! Ask anyone that works at OIFR— there has been a growing culture of bullying and sexual harassment at Station 21 since Chief Harris left. It has finally been well documented! Thanks to Commissioner Wes the horrible treatment of personnel has ended.
Commissioners Bedell and Coffin need to follow Mr. Preysz out the door for allowing it!
The truly ironic part of this story is that what Mr. Lange describes is exactly how our past two Chiefs have operated. They were a disgrace.
The staff and volunteers at OIFR go above and beyond for their community every single day. It is unfortunate that a climate of support has not existed for them when they come back from difficult, stressful calls. Their headquarters should be a place where they can regroup and come together with supportive managers who stands behind them. What caused the problems? When I worked there I was told that I could never contact the commissioners for any reason. I witnessed a disingenuous, politically motivated approach to staff management that I often found disturbing. This, I believe, might be at the heart of the problem, not the commissioners themselves. Perhaps they never knew because they only heard from the Chief and not the staff. Now that they have had the opportunity to really understand what actually goes on within the Fire Station, they have the opportunity to fix it. The paramilitary approach to management has failed to give members what they need to thrive in a supportive environment. In spite of that, they perform well anyway. Open communication is a must and is not feared by strong leaders. These marvelous employees and volunteers deserve exemplary leadership and a community that has their back, because they sure have ours.
Now the public is confused – was it a “hatchet job” or not? I don’t think it’s appropriate to make accusations of sexual harassment or bullying in this forum. These postings are opinions, hearsay, and could damage someone’s reputation. I’m not sure if a public release of the report is appropriate either, seems to me legal issues may be involved.
Read the investigator’s report Paula. It is public record. There were 17 documented cases of sexual harassment and/or bullying. Four women quit their jobs at OIFR! Talk to members about the culture that was allowed by the Commissioners. It all comes down on them.
A professional, such as Art Lang, is rasing some serious concerns on the report on Chief Mic Preysz.
Lang would not address major concerns on a report that he says is a 180 from what he had given to an investigator. That is very serious and and makes the report received by the Fire Commissioners subject to its veracity.
Based on this dubious report assertions on this competent Fire Chief resulted in his having to resign. A career that spanned decades tarnished.
Mic saved my life under adverse conditions. A member of my family worked with Mic as an EMT. No longer an EMT. but holds Mic in high esteem as well as I do.
OIFD is a para military organization. Its not a democracy. Its chief has to be strong and competent
WHY? OIFD mandate is to save lives and property.
To see Mic leave right before what has the potential of being a very bad fire season is not good. It is very poor decision making by the Fire Commissioners to see the Chief leaving at this critical time.
Perhaps Rick Hughes should look into the situation at OIFD. To ascertain if the OIFD is at 100% and if the Chief deserves to have had to resign
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Why would Rick Hughes care? He’s a county council member and has his hands full there with all of the legal trouble that the council and their manager have been in over the past few months. They can’t settle their lawsuits fast enough over there. His advice would probably be to write a check and make it go away.
The San Juan County council might be the only organization in the county with a worse operating reputation than Orcas Fire!
Darrin: Why should Rick Hughes care?
It is looking like a potential for a serious fire season in the making. There is a large amount of “fuel” already in place and more to come before Summer. The OIFD is in a state of flux. Bad combination.
Not a good time to have a fire chief, with serious Time in Grade fighting fires,being forced into resigning at this time.
Rick Hughes should be asking some tough questions of the OIFD Board and what is going on.
Ray McGregor ~ Maybe instead of innuedendo you could state facts if you actually have them. I do think there is more to this story. I mentioned before there was a home invasion break in at gun point at Rosario, and how that call was handled with dispatch. Failure to follow standard chain of command in reporting and responding to a crime like this? For the island, that should have been a huge deal, and makes no sense at all the lack of coverage and follow up. I was on DV calls where there was more response. I was on calls with a sprained ankle that had more response. This call generated none?? Red flag. A press conference? Not enough. Timing wise, it’s enough to consider, and consider what families and relatives were involved and timed with Mik’s leaving. I would love to see the report Ray. Would not be the first time people with pull on the island get their way with their own agendas or hide what they don’t want out. I don’t have the answers; I think some should be asking more questions. Don’t make people search if you have some.