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.
Lawsuit
New Haven Lt. Samod Rankins alleges discrimination based on race and disability
“We’re sick of waiting, sick of being hazed, sick of being harassed and sick of dealing with this,” said Vulcan Society President Regina Wilson
Lawsuit
Casilia Loessberg’s participation in anti-sexual-harassment training empowered her to “fully fight the mistreatment she was enduring,” her lawsuit said
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
Opelika Firefighter Kristopher Davis, 22, said he wanted to stand up against racism and was glad to see people of all races joining the demonstration
A video posted to Twitter shows the white off-duty lieutenant parked in the driveway of the woman, who is a racial minority, after following her
“Threats of violence and racism are unacceptable,” said a statement by city officials
Court papers filed last week say Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Michael Durkin sent the texts about a subordinate in 2017
Diversity
The plan focuses on recruitment of women and minorities and includes changes to the agency’s professional standards
The department concluded its investigation after interviewing all 22 recruits in the photo
The fire department removed the photo from its Facebook page after some said they believed the firefighter’s gesture was similar to a “white supremacy” symbol
The D.C. Fire and Rescue recruits were seen in a photo making a gesture similar to the OK hand sign
Discrimination
The lawsuit by white Cleveland fire lieutenants claims black candidates were unfairly favored over white candidates for promotions
Discrimination
A group of 24 Cleveland lieutenants claims that black candidates were unfairly favored when issuing promotions to captain
Police say the firefighter wanted to get rid of the SUV because he believed it had been driven by minorities
A Mississippi firefighter who was disciplined and later resigned after hanging a noose in his locker says he didn’t have racist intentions
Fire Chief
Two African-American firefighters claimed other firefighters made jokes about police brutality, used the N-word and referred to one as an “ape”
Lt. Daniel McWilliams alleges his civil rights were violated by his racially-motivated exclusion from an FDNY color guard honoring black department members
Lansing Fire Department firefighter Michael Lynn Jr. claims city officials did nothing after he found a banana on the windshield of his assigned truck
Fire Chief
The three Camillus Fire Department members allege that James McBride made “racist, unethical and offensive” comments on Facebook
Federal officials could have continued their oversight of the Austin Fire Department’s hiring process, but they did not find “good cause” to do so
Six people were arrested and released following an outcry surrounding the burning of a model of London’s Grenfell Tower, where 72 people died
Glenn Halfin was given the maximum punishment based on his guilty plea to the misdemeanor charge of interfering with an African-American family’s rights
East Syracuse Fire Chief Jim Brewster was has been removed as the village’s fire chief by its board of trustees after he used a racial slur in a comment on Facebook
Emanuel Brown said he found feces in a compartment where he stored his jacket and breathing apparatus
Racist comments about incoming Fairfax County Fire Department Chief John Butler were posted to the anonymous website “Fairfax Underground”
Roben Duge claims he was sidelined by officials “because of his race,” and was “reassigned to administrative duties driving a messenger van”
Outgoing Chief Luis Santiago confirmed the recruit was fired after he was unable to meet the state’s standards
Firefighters are concerned about racial bias after a black firefighter was videotaped and questioned by a resident despite being in full uniform
Fire Chief
As Starbucks addresses racial bias within its organization, fire departments can take a cue from their initiative
Terrance Skeen was found not guilty after being accused of spitting on an African-American child and threatening his grandfather
City council members said they doubt the FDNY’s commitment to adding diversity to its ranks after it refused to hire Andre Laurant
Terrence Skeen’s lawyers claim the firefighter was “suspended incorrectly” after he allegedly called an African-American man the N-word and spit on the man’s grandson
MOST POPULAR
- Conn. FF charged with arson for allegedly torching recovered SUV
- ‘Racial overtones’ in white FFs’ lawsuit, leader of minority FFs group says
- Off-duty Ala. FF helps lead peaceful protest
- Uniformed black firefighter conducting inspections reported to police
- Start the conversation: Address unconscious bias in the fire service