International Fire Fighters Union Unanimously Censures Anne Arundel State’s Attorney and Annapolis Alderman, Annapolis Professional Firefighters Union Announced

Delegates representing firefighters from across the United States and Canada voted unanimously this week to formally censure Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess and Annapolis Alderman Rob Savidge, Ward 7, according to a statement from the Annapolis Professional Fire Fighters Union.

The votes occurred during the International Association of Fire Fighters Convention, where delegates adopted two resolutions submitted by Local 1926, the statement said. Censure in politics refers to a formal and public reprimand directed at government officials. 

The union described censure as organized labor placing its collective voice on the record through a formal condemnation of actions or conduct it considers contrary to the interests of its members and the broader labor movement.

“These resolutions began with concerns raised by our Local, but today’s vote made something very clear: Local 1926 does not stand alone,” the union said in its statement.

“When one Local and its members are treated unfairly, the strength of the entire IAFF stands behind them.”

The first resolution censured Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess and centered on the prosecution of Annapolis firefighter Bridgett Weiss.

According to Local 1926, Weiss was charged with Misconduct in Office in February 2023 in connection with an incident that occurred in June 2021.

The union said it “strongly believed the prosecution was unjustified and damaging” to Weiss.

According to the union’s statement, the charge was ultimately dismissed. The State appealed the dismissal, which was subsequently upheld.

Local 1926 cited the prosecution and its impact on its member as the basis for the resolution censuring Leitess.

The second resolution formally censured Annapolis Alderman Rob Savidge over what Local 1926 characterized as a longstanding lack of support for firefighters and the operational needs of the Annapolis Fire Department.

The union specifically pointed to a budget amendment introduced by Savidge this year that it said sought to eliminate funding for additional emergency medical services staffing.

Local 1926 said it did not view the budget action as an isolated disagreement.

“His budget amendment this year attempting to eliminate funding for additional EMS staffing was not an isolated incident, it was the culmination of years of demonstrated lack of support for our firefighters and the operational needs of the Annapolis Fire Department,” the union said.

While both resolutions originated with Annapolis Professional Fire Fighters Local 1926, the union emphasized the significance of receiving unanimous support from delegates representing firefighters across the United States and Canada.

“We sincerely appreciate the unanimous support of our IAFF brothers and sisters and the powerful message sent by the convention today,” the union stated.

The unanimous adoption formally places the convention delegates behind Local 1926’s condemnation of the conduct outlined in the two resolutions.

Report Annapolis News will seek comment from State's Attorney Leitess and Alderman Savidge regarding the announcement.