by Audrey Carpenter

Despite Virginia State Senator Suhas Subramanyam’s frequent references in his campaign literature and biographical material as a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Loudoun County, he was actually recommended for termination.

According to an internal personnel file, in November 2019 Captain Hector R. Rodriguez, Jr. of the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department recommended Subramanyam be fired after he failed to adequately meet department standards. Subramanyam ultimately separated from the department. He served less than two years.

Subramanyam consistently mentions his role as a volunteer EMT and firefighter in his website, campaign literature and marketing material, crediting his time as a firefighter as the basis for his service to the community.

Subramanyam, 38, of Ashburn, is the Virginia State Senator representing the 32nd district and Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 10th congressional district against Republican Mike Clancy of Reston. The seat is currently held by U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton, who is retiring when her term expires in January 2025 after being diagnosed with a severe neurological disorder in 2023.

Clancy’s wife, Lynn, is currently an EMS Captain with the McLean Volunteer Fire Department. She was recognized as the “Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year” in 2017 for contributing nearly 1,600 hours at that time, including more than 1,000 hours working mainly on a career medic unit, and has received numerous commendations throughout her long career. Mrs. Clancy also chairs the McLean Volunteer Fire Department’s board of directors and is the department’s training officer.

Subramanyam has publicized endorsements he says he has received from fire-fighting associations. In a July 1, 2024 Facebook post, Subramanyam wrote, “Nothing is more important than keeping our communities safe, and we owe career firefighters our gratitude for all that they do. I will continue to be their champion in Congress.” 

In an Aug. 13, 2021 Facebook post he wrote: “Thank you Virginia Professional Fire Fighters for your endorsement! As a licensed EMT/FF myself, I look forward to continuing to stand up for firefighters and all first responders.” 

“Seeking endorsements from the people and a vocation that rejected you is just weird,” said Tim Marle, an Ashburn resident.

“I suspect he’s putting that stuff up online to garner accolades from the public, but knowing his own department didn’t have confidence in his abilities is really telling,” said Sterling resident Victoria Carter.

The termination report noted that Subramanyam “… used the department uniform, equipment and/or employment status in political activities on or off duty” which is a department violation.

It further stated:

Suhas Subramanyam was suspended previously for not being able to perform his duties and was put on a work plan. He was given training multiple times by a number of members and officers. He was given clear instructions on what was required of him to become minimum staffing. He was told that if he needs help to reach out to his officers. Over a year after he graduated fire school and after several months and opportunities to get his act together, he was still unable to identify equipment and their location on our apparatus, perform a 2-minute drill and 30-second drill adequately, properly throw ladders, and properly deploy lines. On top of this it was clear that he did not have the drive or desire to fix his attitude and mistakes.

Captain Rodriguez went on to write:

Myself and Captain Corey Merdler both believe that Suhas will be a danger to himself and to others on a fireground or during training because of what was stated above. Suhas was also sat down multiple times and talked to about this. On the last sit down Chief Quijano and I spoke with Suhas and told him that he is no longer to participate on the suppression side of the department. He was told that if he wanted to continue to volunteer his time to us he should consider the administrative side or the EMS side (with the approval of AC Horvath). After this last sit down which occurred approximately one month ago, he has not shown up to discuss his decision. He was emailed, texted, and called with no response.

Saying Subramanyam was “not an asset to this department and longer nor cares to be a part of it, even after all the favors and help that was given to him,” he was recommended for termination.

The Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department was contacted for comment.

“The contents of personnel files of current and former members of the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department (AVFRD) are confidential. As such, AVFRD cannot confirm the authenticity of any document purported to be from a personnel file, and AVFRD does not comment on personnel matters,” said John Townsend, president of the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

However, individuals within the fire department have confirmed the authenticity of the report, that it was written by the department and that it was the basis for Subramanyam separating from the department. Those individuals will not be identified for their protection.

Subramanyam’s legislative office, staff and campaign press contacts were all contacted for a comment. If a response is received, the story will be updated accordingly.

Audrey Carpenter publishes The Tribe blog.