LOS ANGELES — After former Los Angeles firefighter Brenda Lee won a court settlement of $6.2 million in a discrimination lawsuit, the department’s chief, Douglas Barry, responded.
“All of the recent cases bring attention to the challenges facing the Fire Department and our need to be vigilant in addressing the issues that are involved,” Douglas said in a departmental release. “Since my appointment to the position of Fire Chief, I have focused my efforts and the efforts of the entire Department towards improving the work environment throughout the organization.”
Prior to Lee’s settlement, Capt. Frank Lima was awarded $3.7 million by a jury when it was found that he was retalilated against for not giving preferential treatment to female firefighters.
Earlier this year, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa vetoed a court’s decision to award firefighter Tennie Pierce $2.7 million in his discrimination lawsuit where he claimed fellow firefighters fed him dog food. The suit and a set of departmental audits that showed evidence of innapropriate behavior led to the resignation of then LAFD chief William Bamattre. Pierce’s case is set for trial Sept. 24.
In light of the recent events, Chief Barry said he wil focus on the following four initiatives:
- He will personally visit every work location (40 thus far) to emphasize the importance and the department’s expectations of all members in maintaining a positive, professional work environment.
- Chief Barry has made ongoing Human Relations training for all department members a top priority. The training has been expanded to four hours for the upcoming quarter and is provided to all members, from recruits in the academy to the most senior members of the department.
- Investigations of work environment complaints are being reviewed promptly by EEO professionals, and early intervention is being made to mitigate the issues that appear to bring about litigation.
- A re-organization and enhancement of the department’s disciplinary system is underway that includes specific disciplinary guidelines for consistent penalties, the creation of EEO and internal investigative units, and enhanced complaint and disciplinary tracking, as well as a risk management component to monitor and analyze trends for the development of preventive measures.
In conclusion, Barry said, “The overwhelming majority of Fire Department members work and live together every day in a close, family-like manner and faithfully serve the communities of Los Angeles with the highest degree of professionalism. Their positive actions and behaviors should not be minimized or overshadowed.”