Racism
Racism is prejudice, discrimination or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group. The FireRescue1 racism resource page includes news about how racism has been demonstrated in the fire service, as well as lawsuits and disciplinary actions related to alleged racist behaviors by fire service personnel. The page also includes tools that firefighters of all levels can use to address racism within the industry, plus information about how departments and organizations are confronting the problem. Learn what it means to commit to a diverse and inclusive department, listen to a podcast about enhancing diversity within the fire service ranks, and read one chief’s plea to firefighters to acknowledge the existence of institutional racism in the fire service in order to make positive change.
Encouraged to join the department by a group she now leads, Wilson hopes to elevate the role of diversity in hiring practices
Lawsuit
Lt. Samod Rankins said he is “happy to be back,” but also is continuing his suit against New Haven
Lawsuit
New Haven Lt. Samod Rankins alleges discrimination based on race and disability
Lawsuit
Brookline Firefighter Gerald Alston was reinstated after filing a complaint saying he was fired for speaking up about workplace discrimination
Investigation
A recent investigation reportedly revealed a culture of systemic racism and sexism that has been allowed to flourish for decades
A grievance filed by a group of Black Winston-Salem firefighters claims white firefighters were never disciplined for the harassment
Discrimination
Orange County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Robert Izzo allegedly used a racial epithet while telling a story
Lawsuit
Plainfield Firefighter Timothy Burkhard claims Deputy Fire Chief Pietro Martino squinted his eyes and asked Burkhard if he had recently been to Wuhan during COVID-19 training
The fetus-shaped figurine with a ribbon tied around its neck hung in the station kitchen for at least three days before it was reported
The firefighter was attending a work-related training event during the altercation with a Black hotel employee that led to police being called
A resident claims she saw someone in a Chicago fire truck removing the banner
Members of the El Paso Fire Department reflected on their response to the shooting that killed 23 people
Protests
The town’s chiefs said they appreciate the firefighters’ support of fellow first responders, but the flags now can be seen as offensive
Diversity
Consistency and persistence of inclusive values will help the fire service leaders move beyond hollow proclamations of diversity
Leadership
Fire service leaders need to lead the way forward with social, technological and financial adaptations
Harassment
Milwaukee FD incident raises questions as to why members didn’t speak up about offensive act in the station
Diversity
Fire Chief Marc Bashoor speaks with Linda Willing about diversity, challenges facing women in the fire service, generational differences and mentoring the next generation
The Milwaukee Brotherhood of Firefighters released a statement this week about the February incident
Lawsuit
The district chief and lieutenant claim firefighters posted racist social media posts, promoted violence against minorities and made threats against them
Investigation
Officials say the rope tied into what appeared to be a crude noose was found in the locker of a Black Bloomington firefighter
Madison EMT Althea Bernstein, who is Black, told police she was attacked by four white men who sprayed her with lighter fluid and called her the N-word
How one department association promotes diversity and the power of voting
The Stonewall Jackson Fire Department said in the statement that it will work to address the issue with input from the community
Retired Boynton Beach Deputy Fire Chief Latosha Clemons, the department’s first black female firefighter, questioned why she and a past chief were removed from the mural
The homeowner alleges that fire crews didn’t care about saving his home because he lives in a black neighborhood
Fire Chief
Gary Mayor Jerome Prince addressed the racism allegations against Fire Chief Sean O’Donnell in a video posted Monday
Fire Chief
Brady Byrd, son of Toledo Fire Chief Brian Byrd, organized the candlelight demonstration to inspire change after the killing of George Floyd
Allan Springer commented on a post related to Black Lives Matter protests, “we need to find out who’s behind this and find a good tree to use!”
Jamie Kennel and Scott Orr discuss a study that revealed disparate treatment of patients based on race
To make progress, we must first condemn such racism and acknowledge our role in its continued existence
Dozens of FDNY members spoke in a demonstration on Sunday, and an FDNY engine honked in support of a group of protesters on Saturday night
Protests
Providence Firefighter Terrell Paci says he was in uniform and on duty when officers approached him and demanded to know if he was armed
Fire Chief
The city’s public arts manager was also fired after images of the city’s first black female firefighter and deputy chief and past chief were replaced
MOST POPULAR
- Feds’ racial discrimination settlement over Austin firefighters expires
- Ex-firefighter-EMT who hung doll with noose gets prison
- Conn. FF charged with arson for allegedly torching recovered SUV
- Lawsuit claims racial discrimination against white lieutenants in promotions
- DC fire recruits making gesture in photo were playing game, agency concludes