San Francisco Fire Launches Probe Into Racism at Academy

On the heels of a written complaint submitted by eight firefighter recruits who call themselves the “brave men of color,” the San Francisco Fire Department has launched a formal investigation into the treatment of recruits at the fire academy.

Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White ordered the investigation following a letter that claimed the eight had been subjected to “retaliatory, demeaning, punishing, and racist/sexist behavior.” A second petition was also submitted to the department by other recruits stating that “each of us is treated fairly, without any indication of racism, sexism, or favoritism.