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The president of the Port Arthur Professional Firefighters Association Local 397 said its members did not issue a vote of “no confidence” against the now former Chief Greg Benson.

Benson was terminated from his position Thursday by Port Arthur City Manager Ron Burton.

Union president Sean Johnson declined Monday to give a comment regarding his thoughts on the firing of Benson.

He said late in 2023, different union leadership started the process for a “no confidence” vote but that was dropped shortly after it was brought up.

A statement from the Port Arthur Professional Firefighters Association’s Facebook page said the department is saddened to hear the news of Benson’s termination.

“Greg Benson has lead the department forward by securing many CPR devices to help aid the citizens and providing us with many other resources to serve the citizens of Port Arthur.

“We would like to address misinformation, IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) Local 397 Port Arthur Firefighters Association did NOT hold a “vote of no confidence” on Greg Benson,” the statement read.

Johnson said the next steps for the union are to continue to serve the citizens of Port Arthur as they have been and continue in the future with whatever leadership comes next.

A call to City Manger Ron Burton was not returned Monday.

Interim fire chief

For recently appointed Interim Port Arthur Fire Chief Robert Havens, the goal going forward is to work with the city, fire department, community and all the partners to move the department forward.

He wants to continue enhancing and providing the best service possible for the residents of the city.

Havens, who holds the rank of deputy fire chief and emergency management coordinator for the city, has been with the department for more than 30 years.

Havens previously served as interim chief when Chief Larry Richard retired in January 2021. Havens was also one of three finalists for the fire chief’s position.

On Thursday he was appointed interim chief upon the termination of Chief Greg Benson.

Havens declined to comment on whether he was shocked at the news of Benson’s termination but said it was a surprise for some, not a surprise for others; adding some individuals believed it would happen but didn’t know how soon and others couldn’t believe Benson lasted this long.

“The important thing right now, as far as the city and fire department are concerned, is to move forward with progress, maintain some stability in the department and keep serving the citizens to the best of our ability,” Havens said.

The veteran firefighter began working with emergency management decades ago, in the process, exposing himself to the administrative functions of local, state and federal government.

During that time he worked alongside former Emergency Management Coordinator and Deputy Police Chief John Owens and former fire chiefs Steve Curran and Larry Richard.

As Havens slips back into the interim position, he spoke of the department morale, saying he has received many encouraging messages and phone calls from people he has worked with and many of his professional acquaintances throughout the fire service community.

Havens said he has enjoyed working for the city of Port Arthur and will continue to work for the city until he retires.

As for his message to fellow firefighters, he says, “do your job, be nice and be safe.”

Benson

Benson was hired in 2021 for the fire chief’s position and on Thursday, City Manager Ron Burton informed him of his termination.

Benson said he asked Burton why he was being terminated and was told Burton was not happy with the direction the department was going.

When Benson pushed for specifics he was not given one, Benson said.

Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie on Thursday spoke with Port Arthur Newsmedia via phone from Atlanta, where he is attending the African American Mayors Conference.

Bartie said he was aware of the situation and believes the termination stems from issues between Benson and the command staff with the fire department.

He said the decision to terminate Benson by the city manager was not a personal decision by Burton or the council.

“As far as I observed, subjectively, he fit in well with this community, but by the same token, that was not shared by the people he was supervising,” Bartie said.

Benson said he has never been reprimanded in his position.

Port Arthur Newsmedia reached out Thursday and Friday to Ron Burton for comments on the termination of Benson, but calls and a text were not returned.

Cheryl Gibbs, public information officer with the City of Port Arthur, deferred questions on personnel to Burton.