Husband of Fairfax County firefighter who died from suicide calls for chief to resign

FAIRFAX, Va. - The husband of a Fairfax County firefighter who died from suicide is pressuring the department's chief to resign after claiming there hasn't been enough done to change the culture of the organization following her death.

Steven Mittendorff, who is the widow of Nicole Mittendorff, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department firefighter who took her own life after allegedly suffering months of bullying from her co-workers, called for the resignation of Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers earlier this week.

Steven Mittendorff made his call for Bowers to resign after Battalion Chief Kathleen Stanley, who headed the department's women's program, stepped down following a scathing resignation letter in which she detailed at least half a dozen allegations of sexual harassment and stated in part, "Fairfax County Fire and Rescue tolerates, and often defends, sexual harassment, retaliation and a hostile work environment: 'zero tolerance' is a hollow term thrown about with false commitment."

On Thursday, Stanley stood by her letter.

"We have a great department. It's only about 5 percent that we have a problem with and that 5 percent just needs to be dealt with. My allegations, I have all the responding documentation for it so I'm not going to stand her and defend what I put (in the letter). I stand by my letter, I have proof for all of it. I wouldn't dare say that stuff or put that stuff out if I didn't have all the documentation to support it," Stanley said. "There has been a lot of resistance with no change. I'm hoping that this sparks a dialogue. I'm hoping that this sparks the change that we need to start moving this forward."

Bowers said during a Thursday press conference that the allegations were misleading and that countless resources had been used vetting the allegations.

When asked if he should step down after Steven Mittendorff called for his resignation, Bowers said, "My heart goes out to Steve Mittendorff. He lost a wife, we lost a family member ourselves. I am here to lead this department. I have led this department for almost five years and over the last two years with the unfortunate passing of Nicole, we have made some improvements under my leadership, but more importantly from the men and women in the department bringing things forward and making a difference and we still have work to do and I'm here to do that."

Steven Mittendorff's letter reads in full:

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the most recent allegations that have been detailed in Battalion Chief Kathleen Stanley's resignation letter from her position as the Women's Program Officer.

Shortly after the suicide of my wife Nicole, a promise was made to me by the Department that every effort to educate and re-shape the culture of this male dominated profession would be met; ultimately, to provide every female or male a safe place to work free of harassment by others and one that is open to progressive change.

Not having personal knowledge of BC Stanley and her circumstances, nor access to the report that was most recently shared with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I cannot comment on those items specifically; however, it is apparent that the Department has a lot more work to accomplish on this topic and it will be done under the microscope of public opinion.

I firmly believe the time has come for Deputy County Executive David M. Roher and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to re-evaluate the executive leadership of the Department and to ask for the immediate resignation of Chief Richard Bowers and his Assistant Chiefs by seeking new leadership for this plagued Department.

The Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department has so much to offer and I hope that one day the media headlines will again praise the Department for the wonderful things it does and not its internal disparities we have all come to know.

I continue to have faith, high praise, and support for the women and men of this agency but I do believe it is time for a significant leadership change."

Nicole Mittendorff was reported missing in April 2016. The 31-year-old's remains were found later that same month in Shenandoah National Park.