CYPRESS, Texas – The Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 board is once again considering the termination of Cy-Fair Fire Chief Amy Ramon.
Her position is listed as a special agenda item for upcoming meetings on Thursday and Friday, though no specific details about the review have been released.
Multiple meetings, ongoing questions
This marks the third time Chief Ramon’s position has been placed under scrutiny on official agendas, with the first instance occurring in May and now twice more this week. Efforts to uncover the reasons behind these reviews have involved conversations with Chief Ramon’s attorney, the union president, members of the Cy-Fair Fire Department, and several board members.
Investigations behind the scenes
An initial investigation began in May regarding an unspecified “complaint.” No details about the nature of this complaint were made public during the May 23 meeting. A second investigation followed in July.
Emails obtained by KPRC 2 reveal tensions within the department surfaced on July 31, when a heated exchange occurred between the union president and a board member over investigation procedures.
Following this, board president, Rob Paiva, requested Chief Ramon take action against the union president, Chris Fillmore. Paiva cited an email Fillmore allegedly sent to union members asserting they were not “obligated” to communicate with commissioners, accusing the union president of promoting insubordination.
Chief Ramon responded by stating she is not a union member and cannot discipline Fillmore in his role as union president, as he is exercising his right to free speech.
No information shared with Chief Ramon
According to Ramon’s attorney, she has not been interviewed regarding any investigation nor received any information about potential work performance issues tied to the ongoing review.
Board member urges focus beyond politics
Secretary Narissa Mackinnon, a board member, said nothing discussed in executive sessions so far suggests Chief Ramon’s termination is imminent. She called on board president Paiva to “reevaluate his attention less on political agendas.”
Mackinnon also criticized the scheduling of the Thursday midday meeting, noting it was set without input from other board members and may not have a quorum present.
What’s next?
As the Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 prepares for its upcoming meetings, the future of Chief Amy Ramon remains uncertain. KPRC 2 will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.