A firefighter in Pennsylvania was fired after the fire company said he made a racist comment while responding to an emergency incident in Horsham Township, Montgomery County, on Tuesday afternoon.
The firefighter was heard on the county radio system calling someone a "dumb f***ing n*****," according to scanner audio from Broadcastify and confirmed by Horsham Fire Company Chief Lee Greenberg.
Greenberg said the firefighter was responding to a vehicle rescue around 4 p.m. on County Line Road. The chief said the now-former firefighter made the racist remark out of "frustration over traffic not getting out of his way."
Greenberg said he found out about it when a member of the media called the fire department. Once he confirmed who it was, the employee was fired, Greenberg said.
"I'm incredibly sorry for this whole situation. It is not a reflection, should not be a reflection of a whole department," Greenberg said. "We're very good at what we do. This was a lapse in judgment that was terrible and will have long-lasting effects on this organization."
Greenberg said the former firefighter was "very upset" and "very apologetic" after he was fired.
The firefighter was a dual-service firefighter and emergency medical technician and was with the fire company "about a year or so," Greenberg said.
The fire company says all personnel will undergo sensitivity and workplace professionalism training.
"Horsham Fire Company No. 1 maintains a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is inconsistent with our organizational values and professional standards," Horsham Fire Company No. 1 said in a statement. "Following this incident, all personnel were reminded of their responsibility to conduct themselves professionally at all times, both on and off the radio.
"On behalf of all the members of the Horsham Fire Company No. 1, we sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended or impacted by this incident. The actions of one individual do not reflect the values, character, or commitment of the dedicated men and women who serve our community every day."
Horsham Township firefighter fired after making racist comment, fire company says
/ CBS Philadelphia
A firefighter in Pennsylvania was fired after the fire company said he made a racist comment while responding to an emergency incident in Horsham Township, Montgomery County, on Tuesday afternoon.
The firefighter was heard on the county radio system calling someone a "dumb f***ing n*****," according to scanner audio from Broadcastify and confirmed by Horsham Fire Company Chief Lee Greenberg.
Greenberg said the firefighter was responding to a vehicle rescue around 4 p.m. on County Line Road. The chief said the now-former firefighter made the racist remark out of "frustration over traffic not getting out of his way."
Greenberg said he found out about it when a member of the media called the fire department. Once he confirmed who it was, the employee was fired, Greenberg said.
"I'm incredibly sorry for this whole situation. It is not a reflection, should not be a reflection of a whole department," Greenberg said. "We're very good at what we do. This was a lapse in judgment that was terrible and will have long-lasting effects on this organization."
Greenberg said the former firefighter was "very upset" and "very apologetic" after he was fired.
The firefighter was a dual-service firefighter and emergency medical technician and was with the fire company "about a year or so," Greenberg said.
The fire company says all personnel will undergo sensitivity and workplace professionalism training.
"Horsham Fire Company No. 1 maintains a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is inconsistent with our organizational values and professional standards," Horsham Fire Company No. 1 said in a statement. "Following this incident, all personnel were reminded of their responsibility to conduct themselves professionally at all times, both on and off the radio.
"On behalf of all the members of the Horsham Fire Company No. 1, we sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended or impacted by this incident. The actions of one individual do not reflect the values, character, or commitment of the dedicated men and women who serve our community every day."
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Horsham firefighter fired after caught making racist comment
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