Complaints of alleged misconduct face sharp pushback from Shasta Fire Protection District officials
Former district employee Kelly Hughes accused Fire Chief Michael Steineke of misconduct at the small fire protection district’s board meeting on Wednesday. She was initially discouraged from speaking in the public forum, a right protected by the First Amendment and California’s Brown Act.
Wednesday night at the Shasta Fire Protection District’s monthly board meeting, about a dozen people watched as a woman made allegations of misconduct by SFPD Fire Chief Michael Steineke during the public comment period.
About 30 seconds into her speech, Steineke, who was sitting just two chairs away, interrupted her in an assertive manner.
“I have an objection,” Steineke stated, saying her public comment was “personal” and that it should occur in closed session.
The woman, former SFPD employee Kelly Hughes, argued with Steineke, asserting her rights under the Brown Act to make a public statement. She asked the board if she could continue speaking. After receiving no reply, she proceeded, alleging in her three-minute speech that Steineke’s behavior and leadership “pose significant risk to the department’s long-term health.”
“His unwillingness to collaborate, his dismissive attitude towards the residents he’s supposed to protect, and his tendency to prioritize his own interests over the district’s undermine morale and prevent the development of a cohesive, functional team,” she said.
Steineke did not respond to her allegations during the meeting and declined to comment afterwards.
The SFPD is a public agency that was established by the votes of about 360 community members in September 2024. Previously, fire services were provided for the area through the Shasta Community Services District. The fire protection district has only four staff members and is largely supported by volunteers. It serves a portion of Shasta County just southeast of Whiskeytown Lake.
Hughes was formerly SFPD’s administrative assistant. She was hired by the district in 2025, along with Steineke, who she worked with closely in her professional role. In time, she became involved in a romantic relationship with Steineke, she told Shasta Scout, although she didn’t mention that in her speech, which she also distributed through a letter she passed out to the board and audience. Steineke started harassing her after the relationship ended, she alleged, something which she informed SFPD’s board about.
The board led an investigation into the harassment allegations, a process that was acknowledged by SFPD Board Chair Cynthia MacDonald after last night’s meeting. That investigation was recently closed, and the findings won’t be disclosed at the advice of the district’s attorney, MacDonald said, declining to comment on Hughes’ allegations.
The board chair approached Hughes just before the meeting, asking to speak with her in private. After the meeting Hughes explained to Shasta Scout that MacDonald used that conversation to ask repeatedly why she was there and question whether Hughes was trying to sabotage them, a conversation which Hughes took as MacDonald attempting to discourage her from speaking. The board chair did not respond to a request for comment about the conversation.
Shortly after that conversation, Hughes spoke to the board explaining that the outcome of the district’s harassment investigation made her feel “unsupported and treated as a liability rather than someone who came forward in good faith.” She said the fire chief’s misconduct occurred “during business hours on district equipment and, at times, while he was in uniform,” and that she was told to contact law enforcement if she felt harassed because the matter was not the board’s responsibility.
Hughes also used her public remarks to question the legitimacy of training practices under Steineke’s leadership, alleging that some SFPD volunteers aren’t actually certified, creating a liability and potentially putting community members at risk. Board members did not respond.
In comments to a reporter, Hughes also expressed concern that her First Amendment rights had been violated by being blocked from commenting on the SFPD Facebook account. The fire chief confirmed after the meeting that he had blocked her from the public forum, saying he did so to comply with her direction to have “no more contact.”
According to the First Amendment Coalition, legislative bodies cannot restrict the content of speech unless it’s deemed “disruptive.” Public officials may encroach on First Amendment violations if they attempt to discourage a member of the public from speaking at a public meeting based on the content of their speech. Public officials also typically can’t restrict members of the public from accessing public forums, such as official social media accounts of a government agency.
Multiple board members also singled out a reporter in the room a couple of times — asking their name, who they work for, their reason for attending the meeting and who sponsors their newsroom — all during the course of the public meeting.
In comments to a reporter today, Hughes said she’s filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department and that she’s planning to file a similar complaint with the Shasta County Grand Jury.
Do you have a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.
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Amazing how the MAGA jumped on the “Believe women” bandwagon when Eric Swalwell accusers turned up, and now they are posting- it’s he said, she said. Hmmmmmm
“Multiple board members also singled out a reporter in the room a couple of times — asking their name, who they work for, their reason for attending the meeting and who sponsors their newsroom — all during the course of the public meeting.”
Sounds like they have been operating in the dark for too long. Hope more media scrutiny follows. Keep up the good work, Shasta Scout.
I met the chief for the first time at the Poppy Festival in Old Shasta, and he came across as very kind, polite, and clearly very busy. If he truly did what is being claimed, there should be evidence—something concrete to support those accusations. Without tangible proof, it remains hearsay until proven otherwise, and it’s possible he was simply irritated or having a bad day.
Regarding the person making these claims, if what they say is true and they can provide substantial proof to submit to the proper authorities, then that should absolutely be taken seriously. However, without that kind of evidence, it ends up being their word against his.
Believe women. Why in the world would she bring this situation into the light, if she hadn’t been pushed to do it publicly due to inaction by the people in charge?
Innocent until proven guilty, but if there are facts that show that some of these wankers should be held accountable, by all means bring the facts forward and let’s hold them accountable.
“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned[.]” Well, at least, she is not using an axe like Ms. Borden. (Where is the first Amendment violation–She was able to say what she wanted to say?)
And yet she ended the relationship.
Sounds to me like hell has no fury like a man scorned…which is quite often the case.
As former Board Member and former President of SCSD, I am disappointed to hear this. I am also grateful that the fire department became a separate entity and will have to deal with their actions without dragging the entire community through it. Looking forward to a resolution of this dispute.
“…(Hughes) was told to contact law enforcement if she felt harassed because the matter was not the board’s responsibility.”
Bethel’s senior leadership: “See? We’re not the only ones using that bullshit lame-ass excuse.”
As a Mt Shasta resident, I appreciate reading what is taking place in my community.
Thank you for the clear description of what took place last night. Much appreciated – Janice
This is actually Old Shasta, not Mt. Shasta 🙂
Eric Ohde – Battalion Chief, Chris Varnum, Assistant Chief of Shasta Fire District are both City of Redding retired Firefighters who stood by and did nothing while the first City of Redding female firefighter was harassed and frightened so bad at night by a Captain at Redding Station 5 that she had to call Redding police to her duty station. These two stood by and did nothing…