News Summary
Ashlie Handy has resigned as spokesperson for St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, citing a toxic culture within the department. In her resignation letter, she highlighted issues such as neglect and marginalization under Fire Chief Keith Watts. Handy’s departure follows her concerns about bullying and decision-making exclusion, raising alarms about the department’s internal culture. Mayor Ken Welch acknowledged her experiences and called for discussions on leadership practices as the fire rescue department faces scrutiny following her resignation and that of former Chief James Large.
St. Petersburg — Ashlie Handy has resigned from her position as spokesperson for St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, citing a “toxic culture” within the department that has hindered her ability to perform her duties effectively. Handy, who was appointed as the public information officer just one year ago, highlighted issues of neglect, marginalization, and systemic dysfunction in a detailed resignation letter addressed to division chiefs, dated May 5.
In her resignation, Handy indicated that her decision was the result of careful consideration rather than a spontaneous reaction. She alleged that the leadership under Fire Chief Keith Watts has restricted her professional capabilities by altering her chain of command, excluding her from critical decision-making processes, and altering her role in ways that put her in difficult situations. Handy described her experience as feeling “set up to fail.” She took this step after voicing concerns about her working environment, noting that she experienced bullying tactics by some colleagues, notably training coordinator Svetlana “Lana” Stevanovic.
On the heels of her resignation, Handy reached out to Mayor Ken Welch on May 6, explaining the circumstances leading to her departure and the concerns she had regarding the department’s culture and leadership practices. In direct response, Chief Watts disputed Handy’s claims via email, asserting that he had compiled documentation portraying her as unprofessional. He expressed readiness to participate in an objective review of Handy’s allegations, claiming he would fully cooperate with the investigation facilitated by the city’s legal and human resources departments.
Handy’s relationship with the department had reportedly been positive when she worked under former interim Chief Robert Bassett, who included her in decision-making. However, she expressed that the dynamics shifted significantly following Watts’ assumption of leadership. An incident in early May, wherein Handy encountered interference from Stevanovic and another coordinator during a scheduled interview on drowning prevention, served as a tipping point, leading her to submit her resignation on the same day, characterizing the overall experience as “deeply unprofessional and, frankly, embarrassing.”
In the aftermath of Handy’s resignation, Mayor Welch extended apologies for her experiences and communicated her concerns to Chief Watts for further discussion. Chief Watts, however, raised issues regarding Handy’s professionalism and work ethic, including a citation for erratic driving behavior that he later clarified resulted only in a warning, not disciplinary action as first suggested. He provided multiple records attempting to validate his position regarding Handy’s performance.
Handy contested several points made by Watts, emphasizing discrepancies in his documentation surrounding her duties and asserting that systematic efforts had been made by the leadership to undermine her professional image. She expressed significant worry about the organization’s future hires, cautioning that new personnel may face similar challenges to those she encountered during her tenure.
The controversy surrounding Handy’s resignation comes on the heels of the previous departure of former fire Chief James Large, who also exited amid complaints about fostering a toxic workplace atmosphere. As the current leadership faces scrutiny, the Fire Rescue department finds itself at a crossroads, requiring an examination of its internal culture and practices to foster a healthier work environment for its employees.
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