CYPRESS, Texas – Three lawsuits have been filed against Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9, within the Cy-Fair Fire Department, after allegations of retaliation, sexual harassment and a toxic work environment by paramedics.
Some of the female paramedics also claim the district did not provide proper breastfeeding accommodations.
Plaintiff Joy McDonald, a paramedic of eight years, said she was fired last month after repeatedly reporting harassment and filing HR complaints.
She said her repeated complaints to HR went nowhere.
“I’ve filed hostile work environments three times since I’ve been employed here,” McDonald said.
Instead of corrective action, McDonald said she was targeted and eventually terminated last month.
“They should be ashamed of themselves,” said McDonald.
Another plaintiff, longtime paramedic Jerry “Bubba” Justice, said he was demoted three levels after failing a blood administration test.
“They called me in and demoted me three levels,” Justice said.
The demotion, he said, resulted in a pay cut and loss of overtime opportunities just four years before retirement eligibility.
“I thought if I don’t defend myself, who’s going to defend me,” Justice said.
Paramedic Ashley Fitzhenry, who is in the process of filing her own lawsuit, said one incident was the breaking point.
“The head of the HR department walked in while I was pumping,” Fitzhenry said. “I was stunned, embarrassed; really embarrassed.”
The lawsuits also accuse Fire Chief Amy Ramon of retaliation, alleging she sent out mass emails to the entire department naming employees who had hired lawyers. Plaintiffs said the disclosure left them vulnerable to harassment and made them fear losing future job opportunities.
Chief Ramon has been under scrutiny by the ESD-9 board three times this year, though she remains in her position.
A spokesperson for HCESD-9, Naressa MacKinnon sent the following statement:
“Our command staff and human resources leadership are aware of the allegations. We strongly believe in due process and will continue to ensure fair hearings of the complaints. We look forward to saying more about all of the facts when possible.”
Cy-Fair Professional Firefighters Association Local 5248 president Chris Fillmore told KPRC 2 that union leadership was not aware of the allegations by paramedics until lawsuits were filed.
“We don’t know the details of the of the cases,” said Fillmore. “We want our members safe every day we come to work.”
Fillmore said members should feel comfortable coming to the union if they need to address complaints.
“I’m not aware of an issue that has been brought to HR and has not had an investigation done," said Fillmore.
Lynne Jurek is the attorney representing the paramedics.
“What’s next is to see what the board and the districts going to respond because we sent out the demand letters," said Jurek.