Six Miami Firefighters Terminated For Racially Offensive Behavior

Posted by: Curt Varone November 1, 2017 0

Six Miami firefighters have been terminated following an investigation into a noose and sexually explicit drawings left on a black firefighter’s family photos.

The incident took place on September 9, 2017, when a noose made out a twine was found draped over a family photo of a black firefighter in Station 12. In addition, several personal photos were defaced with obscene drawings, including a penis that was drawn on a photo of the man’s wife.

The investigation was initiated by the police due to the possibility of criminal vandalism charges, but was reassigned to the police internal affairs unit who turned the results over to Fire Chief Joseph Zahralban.

The president of Miami Firefighters, IAFF Local 587 Freddy Delgado, was quoted by the Miami Herald as saying:

  • We expect all of our members to be provided a safe, comfortable workplace and also to fair and complete investigations and just discipline when it’s warranted.
  • We have not yet been provided with all the information that the city relied upon in making the decisions it did today.
  • We are very disturbed by the allegations and look forward to the opportunity to review all the facts.

UPDATED 11/4/17

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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