{"id":419623,"date":"2026-08-28T22:12:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T22:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/419623\/"},"modified":"2026-08-28T22:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T22:12:08","slug":"disappointed-san-antonio-fire-chief-valerie-frausto-responds-to-censure-vote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/419623\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Disappointed\u2019: San Antonio Fire Chief Valerie Frausto responds to censure vote"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN ANTONIO \u2013 In her first public comment since KSAT broke the news of her censure<\/a> by an international fire union, San Antonio Fire Department Chief Valerie Frausto defended her decisions on disciplinary and policy issues. <\/p>\n

\u201cI am disappointed by the characterization of my leadership and the suggestion that these decision were made without careful consideration or regard for our firefighters,\u201d Frausto wrote in a department-wide letter on Friday addressed to \u201cSAFD Family.\u201d<\/p>\n

In her first public comment since KSAT broke the news of her censure by an international fire union, San Antonio Fire Department Chief Valerie Frausto defended her decisions on disciplinary and policy issues. (SAFD)<\/p>\n

Frausto said \u201cseveral of the narratives being shared publicly are incomplete and do not reflect the full circumstances behind these decisions,\u201d which she couldn\u2019t fully discuss. <\/p>\n

However, the chief wrote \u201cI do not take significant decisions lightly\u201d and she makes the decision \u201cI believe best serves this department and our community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes that means making difficult decisions, including decisions that may be unpopular or misunderstood,\u201d she continues in the letter. \u201cNonetheless, I will continue to make them thoughtfully, fairly, and in good faith.\u201d<\/p>\n

An SAFD spokesman told KSAT the chief would not be providing interviews. A city spokeswoman had previously dismissed the censure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe action is wrong on the merits and has no formal authority. The City Manager continues to have full confidence in the Chief and her team,\u201d the spokeswoman said in an emailed statement Monday.<\/p>\n

Censure<\/p>\n

Delegates at the International Association of Firefighters biennial convention in Arlington on Aug. 14 unanimously passed a censure resolution<\/a> against Frausto related to various disciplinary, policy and pay complaints. <\/p>\n

They included a former firefighter who says he was \u201cforced out\u201d<\/a> of the department over a THCA prescription as well as raises awarded to assistant and district chiefs outside of normal contract negotiations.<\/p>\n

Most of the issues appear to be part of ongoing legal challenges or grievance procedures.<\/p>\n

The cumulative effect \u201chas resulted in a substantial loss of confidence among members of Local 624 regarding Chief Frausto\u2019s leadership of the San Antonio Fire Department,\u201d according to the resolution.<\/p>\n

Local 624, also known as the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association, represents more than 1,800 San Antonio firefighters and paramedics, and is part of the IAFF, which represents more than 368,000 members across the United States and Canada.<\/p>\n

\u2018Be better\u2019<\/p>\n

SAPFFA President Joe Jones said the decision to try and censure Frausto came out of a membership meeting in June. Frustrations with the chief had been \u201cescalating,\u201d he said, and the treatment of Zachary Crumley<\/a>, the firefighter with the THCA prescription, was the \u201ctipping point.\u201d <\/p>\n

However, he also said \u201cit had been talked about for nearly a year when people who come to the general meetings realized \u2018this is not going well.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones said the union chose to \u201cpunt\u201d to the IAFF convention rather than hold a vote among only the local members because they wanted outside perspective on their concerns and they had also seen how little the police union\u2019s 2016 \u201cno confidence\u201d vote<\/a> appeared to affect former San Antonio Police Chief William McManus.<\/p>\n

However, unlike the police union\u2019s clash with McManus, Jones said the fire union wasn\u2019t \u201cafter (Frausto\u2019s) badge\u201d and noted the resolution had not called for her to be fired or punished.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe like Valerie Frausto. Chief Frausto, we have issues with,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n

Jones said while he believes the chief is the same person he\u2019s known for most of her 26-year career with SAFD, \u201cI also believe that she\u2019s out of balance and she\u2019s struggling to figure that balance out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so the overwhelming message is \u2018be better,\u2019\u201d Jones said. \u201cGet back to looking out for your firefighters and paramedics because that is one of the elements that is absolutely expected of a successful fire chief, and she has not done that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones said he believes Frausto took in that message, and that he was encouraged by the conclusion of her department-wide letter:<\/p>\n

\u201cChallenges do not define us either as individuals or as an organization. How we respond to them does. I believe our response should always reflect the professionalism, respect, and integrity we expect from one another, even when we disagree. Ultimately, that is the standard I will continue to hold myself to as we move forward together.\u201d<\/p>\n

San Antonio Fire Department Chief Valerie Frausto<\/p>\n

\u201cThat last paragraph tells me the Val\u2019s still in there,\u201d Jones said. \u201cAnd that Chief Frausto is going to bounce back from this.\u201d<\/p>\n

An internal hire<\/p>\n

Frausto, San Antonio\u2019s first female fire chief, was selected in October 2024 from among more than 65 other applicants during a nationwide search. City Manager Erik Walsh said Frausto had \u201chands down\u201d the best resum\u00e9, but what set her apart was her confidence.<\/p>\n

Frausto joined the department in August 2000 and was one of only three women in her academy class. She has served as a firefighter, paramedic, fire marshal and member of the command staff. <\/p>\n

Before her selection as chief, she was appointed as the interim deputy fire chief of administrative services.<\/p>\n

Frausto was preceded by SAFD Chief Charles Hood, who was forced out in January 2024 after an investigation found Hood had used the phrase \u201cp—- always wins.\u201d He had previously been reprimanded after an incident in which he was photographed eating sushi off a nude woman.<\/p>\n

At the time, Jones praised the incoming chief.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo clean up Mr. Hood\u2019s mess it will take talent, dedication, strategy, intelligence, compassion, and determination. Chief Frausto is well known for possessing all of these attributes and more,\u201d he said at the time.<\/p>\n

Read also:<\/p>\n

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