Manhattan Beach firefighters, some fighting back tears, aired grievances in public this week against Fire Chief Robert Espinosa, blaming him for alleged workplace intimidation and retaliation as well as an increase in paramedic response times in the beach town.
At a City Council meeting Tuesday night, several firefighters described a mismanaged and toxic working environment that led to a vote of “no confidence” in the chief in January. Of 25 union members who voted, 21 supported the action and one abstained.