An Alameda County firefighter has been placed on paid administrative leave after making what Fire Chief William McDonald called “racist” remarks toward a community member while on duty.
In a video posted on social media, the firefighter is seen standing next to a car and accusing the driver of causing an accident. When the driver suggested that the police should settle the dispute, the firefighter called the driver a “stupid Mexican.” Later in the conversation, the firefighter referred to the driver as a “Filipino bitch.”
At a press conference on Monday (August 26), McDonald said the Alameda County Fire Department did not consider the comments to be racist until it investigated the circumstances of the altercation. The firefighter’s name was not released.
“I think this is embarrassing behavior and something that is not supported by the department,” McDonald said.
While McDonald denied that the circumstances excused the firefighter’s comments, he said the department would not take further disciplinary action until an investigation is complete.
In the video, the firefighter reiterated his comments and repeatedly called the driver a Mexican or Filipino, using those terms as slurs. When the driver accused him of racism, the firefighter responded, “I’m not a f***ing racist. I’m a f***ing firefighter.”
“I don’t think being a firefighter protects you from racism,” McDonald said Monday.
In the video, the driver also claims that the firefighter spit on them. “I’m going to spit on you all damn day,” the firefighter said in response.
McDonald said he watched the video, spoke with the firefighter and “reprimanded” him for his behavior. The firefighter, who has worked for the department since 2004, expressed remorse for his comments, McDonald said.
At Monday’s event, McDonald publicly apologized to the driver on behalf of the firefighter and the department.
“Such behavior is not representative of us, of the department, or of the values we strive to embody every day,” McDonald said.
— Story by Cole Reynolds, Bay City News Service
