The former Seattle Fire Department Human Resources Director has filed suit against the city, Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, and Public Safety Civil Service Commission Director Andrea Scheele, alleging whistleblower retaliation, discrimination, hostile work environment, wrongful termination, and public records violations.
Sarah Lee, served as SFD’s HR director from December 2021 until her termination in 2025. Prior to joining SFD, Lee was an assistant city attorney in Seattle’s employment law section. According to the complaint, Lee consistently received “Exceeds Expectations” performance evaluations during her tenure and was nominated for leadership recognition in 2024.
In her complaint, Lee alleges that she repeatedly raised concerns about unsafe practices within SFD, including firefighters and dispatch personnel allegedly working while under the influence of alcohol. The complaint describes multiple instances in which Lee recommended fitness-for-duty evaluations and restrictions on driving apparatus, which she claims were ignored by senior leadership. One allegation involves a firefighter driver with a history of preventable collisions who, according to the complaint, continued to operate fire apparatus despite Lee’s objections…