The Evansville Fire Merit Commission voted unanimously to terminate Douglas Randell after hearing testimony from multiple women alleging inappropriate text messages and comments

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Evansville Fire Merit Commission held a special meeting on Oct. 2 and voted to fire EMS Supervisor Douglas Randell.

Randell was suspended for five days without pay on Aug. 17 and was later placed on paid administrative leave. Fire Chief Tony Knight recommended his termination, WFIE reported. Officials said Randell requested an appeal.

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During the public portion of the meeting, it was revealed that Randell is accused of several incidents of sexual misconduct. The board heard testimony from several women.

One employee said she received inappropriate text messages from Randell, including messages sent in the middle of the night asking to chat and calling her beautiful. Another woman said Randell made inappropriate gestures with a radio antenna during a meeting.

One woman testified she had little contact with Randell, but he called her once about overtime, asked if her significant other was around, and called her beautiful. When she declined the overtime, she said Randell called her “hot mama” and told her he loved her.

Randell testified saying he was only joking and had no intent to hurt anyone. He said he thought his comments were lighthearted at the time, but acknowledged in hindsight it was a bad idea and shouldn’t have happened.

After hearing all testimony, the board voted unanimously to terminate him.

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