Tag Archives: facebook

Racist Post or Rush To Judgment, Political Correctness Edition

Earlier this week we covered the story of the Texas firefighter who reportedly posted a racist comment on the web site of a South Carolina newspaper following the murder of nine African Americans at the hands of a white supremacist. Now comes word that the comment was not made in support of the murderer but rather in reference to someone who donated a large sum of money to the victims' families.

Texas Firefighter Terminated Over Racist Facebook Post

A volunteer firefighter in Texas who posted an offensive comment about the recent murder of nine African Americans in Charleston, South Carolina on the Facebook page of a South Carolina newspaper, has been summarily terminated from his fire department. Kurtis Cook was terminated by the Mabank Fire Department after posting that murder suspect Dylann Roof “needs to be praised for the good deed he has done.”

Queensland Fire Services Culture of Shame

It’s being referred to as a “culture of shame” and while it is Australia, its not all that different from what we are seeing in some fire departments here in the US. The Queensland Fire & Emergency Services is reeling following the release of an 80-page report on the status of women in their organization...

Houston Firefighter In Trouble Over Facebook Rant

A Houston fire captain who was upset about his truck being broken into is in hot water over a Facebook rant that threatened Hispanic teenagers in his neighborhood.

Fire Law Headlines – Buffalo Hearing Loss Lawsuit, Florida Resignation, and Kentucky Facebook Post

Its been another of those busy days on the fire law news front. In Buffalo 193 firefighters filed 20 suits over siren-related hearing loss, in Florida a lieutenant resigned over an allegation he had sex on duty, and in Kentucky a paramedic fired over a Facebook post filed suit claiming a First Amendment violation.

Australian Firefighter Facing Criminal Charges Over Facebook Post

A Queensland, Australia firefighter is facing criminal charges over a Facebook scandal involving a “straw poll” where firefighters rated which female coworkers would be best in bed...

Houston Firefighter’s Post Sparks Complaints

A Houston firefighter has been placed on administrative duties as the department investigates offensive anti-Islamic posts on his personal Facebook page. The unidentified firefighter allegedly made the posts last month drawing the attention of KTRK TV Channel 13, who in turn brought them to the attention of the fire department.

Facebook Poll Prompts Sexual Harassment Investigation in Queensland

Firefighters in Queensland, Australia are under investigation for creating a Facebook “poll” to rate which of their female colleagues would be best in bed. According to The Courier-Mail, several female firefighters who were targets of the poll have been transferred and an outside investigation is now underway.

Kentucky Firefighter Sues Over Racist Facebook Posting

A Kentucky firefighter who complained about racially offensive Facebook postings has filed suit in state court claiming his chief and other fire department officials have created a hostile work environment by tolerating such statements. Michael Williams, a firefighter with the ...

Connecticut Firefighter Demoted Over Facebook Comments

A Connecticut firefighter who posted comments about killing pit bulls on Facebook has been demoted and is now facing organized petition drives calling for his termination. Richard Prince was the deputy fire marshal in the Torrington Fire Department. He posted ...

Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone