DALLAS - In a memo released just after noon on Friday, Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Eddie Burns suddenly announced that he is retiring.
The City of Dallas' city manager released a memo announcing the change in leadership. In the statement Burns is praised for developing a new EMS model and several other accomplishments. But the sudden departure left City Hall addressing questions of Burns' involvement with an Arlington night club while chief.
"The question is: Is it consistent with their job or inconsistent with it? And I think that's the question that you've got to look at with every employee and every City Council member about," said Mayor Mike Rawlings.
The Dallas Morning News reported Friday that Burns invested in the Center City Bar and Grill in Arlington, even appearing on its Web site, and that he had planned to leave after five years. The city says there are no restrictions on him as long as there is no violation of the Dallas City Code.
Burns said he is leaving the city to pursue business opportunities. He is scheduled to retire September 1. He said he will help with transitional issues, but has requested vacation until his last day.
Burns came to the department five years ago from the Fort Worth Fire Department.
His tenure in Dallas has hit some snags. Sources inside the Dallas Fire Fighters Association have remarked that they believe the morale is low because of Burns' management style. They are also saying he is leaving because of a combination of things regarding his management style.
Burns is also named in a well publicized lawsuit that involves his former assistant who alleged she was sexually harassed by Burns.
Assistant Fire Chief Louie Bright will serve as interim chief. He has made it clear that he is not interested in the job on a permanent basis.
eBossWatch.com named Burns the "worst boss" in America last year. One firefighters group agreed it was time for Burns to go.
"I've gotten a lot of phone calls," said Charlie Salazar of the Dallas Hispanic Firefighters Assocaition. "You know, there are some people that are excited about it, there are other people who liked Chief Burns. But, I think the overall impact of the entire fire department was that morale was pretty low and they were ready for a change."
E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com
