WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Update: Wichita Mayor Lily Wu has responded to the ethics complaint against her filed by the union that represents Wichita firefighters, IAFF Local 35. The complaint centered around a meeting Wu allegedly had with Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow. in which, the union said, Wu told the boss. that the department will have to cut 45 positions.

Wu offered the following statement:

“While the firefighters’ union chose to file a false and frivolous complaint and then publicize the allegations in a press release in an apparent attempt to achieve their goal of damaging my reputation, I respect the Board of Ethics’ right to do their work confidentially. and without public interference.

I strongly deny all allegations. I will respond in writing tomorrow (Tuesday) and cooperate fully with any further investigation.

My support for public safety, including the Wichita Fire Department, is well documented. This is just a continuation of the union’s repeated attacks and attempts to damage my reputation that began during last year’s mayoral campaign.”

The union representing Wichita firefighters has filed an ethics complaint against Wichita Mayor Lily Wu. The complaint concerns a meeting the mayor allegedly had with Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow and a personnel instruction given outside of a public meeting.

The International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 135 (IAFF Local 35) said it filed its complaint last Wednesday, Oct. 23, against Wu, citing “improper influence and training of a department head.” The union pointed to a city ordinance it said the mayor violated.

“During a meeting with Chief Snow, IAFF Local 135 President Ted Bush was informed by Chief Snow that Mayor Lily Wu had come to her individually and outside of any City Council meeting or public action and informed her that Chief Snow needs to fire. 45 employees in the Wichita Fire Department before the end of 2025 and that it had no choice in the matter,” the union said.

IAFF Local 135 said Chief Snow told Bush the meeting was solely at Wu’s discretion.

“As Chief Snow communicated, Mayor Wu visited her office and informed her of the above and told her that he didn’t care how she did it, but that she needed to reduce the staff by the 45 positions. Chief Snow agreed to implement the layoffs, but advised her of the extreme negative impact it would have on the Wichita Fire Department and the City of Wichita,” the union said.

The union cited the ordinance the mayor was accused of violating. In a press release announcing its complaint, IAFF Local 35 provided the following text from the ordinance.

No instructions or directions shall be given by individual council members to department heads or other city employees, who shall forward such instructions immediately to the city manager, who shall in turn bring such improper actions to the attention of the entire council for such an action. as may be appropriate in each individual case.” (Ord. No. 47-858, point 17, 3-28-08).

“Mayor Wu’s communication to Chief Snow clearly violated the above ordinance, attempted to exert undue influence and/or coercion by a single City Council member on a department head, and more specifically, how department head is running his department, which is strictly prohibited by the ordinance is improper and unethical,” IAFF Local 35 said in its press release.

The union also cited a study commissioned by the city of Wichita that “indicated the department is over 100 members short at current levels.”

In September 2022, City of Wichita awarded $10.2 million grant from FEMA to hire 42 firefighters. Chief Snow said the department plans to bring two more trucking companies into service. She said the department could also add a fourth firefighter to the department’s existing truck companies.

Regarding the complaint against the Wichita mayor, Union President Ted Bush offered the following statement:

“As a concerned member of Local 135 and a member of this community, I believe transparency and accountability are crucial to maintaining public confidence in our city officials and our public safety services. Because of this, any potential violation of city ordinance or ethical standards by public officials should be thoroughly and fairly investigated. We all rely on a fair and transparent process by the City of Wichita Board of Ethics and trust the board’s ability to objectively evaluate the evidence and reach a decision.

Decisions on expenses belong to the plenary session of the City Council and the municipal director’s office. Hiring decisions rest with the departments. Any attempt to circumvent this process is deeply troubling. The impact of this conversation in particular could have seriously affected our ability to protect the citizens of Wichita and each other.

The citizens of Wichita and the firefighters who serve them deserve leaders who act with honesty and integrity – and it is critical that this issue be taken seriously. If the investigation confirms that local ordinances and/or ethical guidelines have been violated, appropriate action must be taken as soon as possible.”

The union also responded strongly to the reported demand for staff reductions following a

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