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Fire chief dismissed by board, firefighters walk out in solidarity

Officials said the decision to dismiss Chief Ed Leipply was based on a culmination of managerial behavior

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The majority of a volunteer fire department resigned after their chief was dismissed

Photo/Wills Point Fire Department

By FireRescue1 Staff

WILLS POINT, Texas — The majority of a volunteer fire department resigned after their chief was dismissed.

KLTV reported that Wills Point Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ed Leipply was dismissed on Tuesday. Joe Arnold, president of the board for Van Zandt County Emergency Services District 4, said the decision was not a “knee-jerk reaction,” but instead based on a culmination of managerial behavior.

After the decision was announced, the majority of the department’s firefighters walked out in solidarity. Chief Leipply’s family said he is touched, but added that he never asked them to walk out, according to WFAA.

Arnold said the board was disappointed in the firefighters’ decision to leave.