||| FROM FLETCHER DAE |||


My name is Fletcher and I have been a volunteer with Orcas Fire and Rescue since 2018. I have served as a First Responder and Firefighter and am a newly certified EMT. I am a board member of the Volunteer Firefighters Association. I am also the treasurer and one of the founding members of Orcas Island Pride and identify as trans non-binary. While I play other roles in my community, I am here today as a department member with deep and serious concerns regarding the safety and welfare of myself and my neighbors. I am aware of the risks I am taking by speaking out, including the possibility of losing my much-beloved volunteer position, but I would rather take the braver way out of such a double bind and stand in my integrity.

I have been made aware of the social media content of our recently selected Fire Commissioner, Rex Chadwell, which includes transphobia.

I understand the Commission was made aware of the content of his account prior to his selection, and there is record of this.

I also understand that even though there were no other candidates, the Board did not have to fill the vacancy as they had already met the quorum requirements, but chose to anyway.

I strongly believe his social media content and biases are harmful. I understand the grievance policy but have not filed one because I am hoping for a response of accountability from the Commision to the following:

1) Given that his social media reflects beliefs and biases that are contrary to the safety and welfare of department and community members such as myself, and appear to be a violation of the standards of conduct that all department members are expected to uphold, what are your plans to address these concerns? Without going into arguments around freedom of speech, identity politics, whataboutisms and other semantics, at the very least we need an accountability statement addressing the safety issues with Mr. Chadwell’s social media presence.

2) In my experience with people such as Mr. Chadwell, it is common to receive indigent rejection of requests asking them to take an honest look at harmful beliefs. I doubt Mr. Chadwell has ever sincerely tried to understand on a personal level the objects of his derision, such as people who have had to make the excruciating decision to have an abortion, or the experiences of non-binary people such as myself. However, beyond the allure of generalizations and in the interest of proactive dialogue, I am willing to ask this question:

What does Mr. Chadwell plan to do in order to grow as a person and commissioner in a way that will broaden his understanding and ensure the safety and well-being of the people he has chosen to serve? How will the Commission help him advance in this way?

I would like to remind everyone that we are all in a position of service to the community. No position is a position of power.

Finally, I do not need nor do I want this to be addressed privately. I want these questions to be addressed in the BOFC’s next public meeting.

Yours in service.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Rex Chadwell has tendered his resignation]


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