By Bill Carey
FireRescue1
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood is retiring after an investigation determined that he made inappropriate and offensive comments.
Hood’s retirement was announced in an email on Wednesday from City Manager Erik Walsh to fire department employees, KSAT reported.
“Today Chief Hood retired his employment with the City of San Antonio as a result of an investigation that confirmed inappropriate and offensive comments he made in violation of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Administrative Directive (AD), Fire Department Rules and Regulations and expectations of him as a leader,” Walsh wrote in the email.
Walsh wrote that Hood admitted to making the comments.
Deputy Chief Christopher Monestier will temporarily lead the fire department. An interim fire chief is expected to be named next week.
San Antonio Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 624 released a statement about Hood’s retirement, stating, in part: “While we are aware of the details culminating in Mr. Hood’s forced-retirement, we believe in protecting all of our members and the dignity of a potentially ongoing investigative process. The San Antonio Professional Firefighter’s Association will reserve our right to comment further until we have been provided assurances that all allegations have been thoroughly and professionally investigated.”