Orlando District Chief Alleges Disability and Gender Discrimination

A district chief with the Orlando Fire Department is suing alleging the city discriminated against her on account of a disability and her gender. District Chief Alissa Baussan, who identifies herself in the complaint as an African American/Black woman, claims that certain duties were taken away from her, and accommodations previously afforded were changed on account of an auto-immune deficiency she suffers from, along with her status as a female.

Quoting from the complaint:

• In July of 2022, Defendant hired a new Fire Chief, Charles Salazar. Almost immediately, the new Chief and his Executive Deputy Chief, Ian Davis, began to implement policies and procedures that were discriminatory.
• These practices disrupted the Plaintiff’s previously approved accommodation.
• Between August 22, 2022, and October 24, 2022, Plaintiff was subjected to a Hostile Work Environment that included but was not limited to baseless disciplinary action and interference with the use of her sick leave.
• Also in August of 2022, Deputy Chief Preston refused to give the Plaintiff the Lieutenant’s exam chairperson Fire Studios laptop, which all of the male chairpersons were provided to create Emergency Incident Command simulations, including District Chief Revoldt in 2023.
• After the Plaintiff filed a formal complaint, she began to experience a series of retaliatory actions.
• In April of 2023, she was removed from the Non-Certified Program although it was a part of her job description.
• Before she was removed from the program she met with Chief Salazar and Lynn Banks on March 2, 2023.
• During the meeting, the Chief told her that he wanted her to work on the Non-Certified Program.
• Withstanding this she was excluded from all of the meetings regarding the program.
• Additionally, several of her traditional job duties were taken away from her and given to White male Chiefs in other divisions who had less seniority than she did.
• In May of 2023, the recruitment marketing campaign was taken away and given to District Chief Corey Philman of the Logistics Division.
• On October 13, 2023, Deputy Fire Chief Craig Hullette sent out an email announcing transfers within the Department.
• Defendant decided to transfer Plaintiff to a field position, however, there was no existing vacancy in the Field Operations Bureau.
• This move departed from the Defendant’s established practice of transferring individuals to vacant positions.
• On or about October 17, 2023, the Plaintiff met with the Defendant’s Chief of Labor Relations. Next on October 19, 2023, Lynne Banks informed the Plaintiff that the City of Orlando’s Assistant Attorney will be contacting her soon to initiate an investigation.
• Lynne Banks also told the Plaintiff that she would be required to seek an ADA accommodation. At that point Plaintiff advised Lynne Banks that she made a request in May of 2018, for a 40-hour work week. That request was granted as early as 2018.
• Withstanding this, the Assistant City Attorney insisted that the Plaintiff file an accommodation request.
• The proposed transfer also created a hardship for the Plaintiff as it relates to her being able to provide care to a minor child.
• On October 29, 2023, Chief Salazar rescinded the transfer of a White Fire District Chief, Jeffery White, a White male because he had childcare issues.
• When Plaintiff became aware that concessions were made for White, she requested that Defendant offer her the same consideration.
• Chief Salazar, quickly responded to the Plaintiffs request which required her to deplete her personal paid time off.

The suit was filed in Orange County Circuit Court alleging disability discrimination, gender discrimination/sexual harassment, and retaliation under Florida state law. Here is a copy of the complaint: