10:34 AM CST on Saturday, March 13, 2004

KHOU-TV

Five people were disciplined in connection with a strip poker game that took place at the Missouri City Fire Department station at 5955 Sienna Parkway in January.

That action included a request for resignation on the part of one acting supervisor and four other department members were disciplined based on the facts uncovered as a result of the investigation.

AP

"It is unfortunate that the incident occurred," said Missouri City fire chief, Mark Ewald. "The matter was handled swiftly and decisively. The lessons learned by everyone in the department should assure that this type of incident will not take place in the future."

According to Ewald, the incident took place in late January 2004. A strip poker game involving various levels of disrobement was played by on-duty members of the Missouri City Fire and Rescue Services and one member of an outside agency housed in the fire station.

The incident was reported to the fire administration on Feb. 13 and a formal internal affairs investigation was launched due to inconsistencies in the initial report. The investigation was concluded on Feb. 15, 2004.

The command staff of the fire department met on Feb. 16 and determined the nature of action to be taken for each member involved in the incident.