Former PA Firefighter Files Sex Discrimination Suit

A former Pennsylvania volunteer firefighter has sued the department she worked for, claiming she was demoted for being a mother.

Penn Live reports that Jessica Etzle filed suit against the Lower Swatara Fire Department in US Middle District Court over being stripped of her post as lieutenant in January 2016 because her fire chief told her she needed to be at home and be a mother to her six-year-old son.

Etzle's suit claims that on the the same day as her demotion, two male firefighters who also have children were promoted into lieutenant positions, including the position she lost.

Etzle, who says she had been a member for 11 years when she was promoted to lieutenant in 2014, insists she gave superiors no reason to demote her and take away her fire safety education duties. After filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in June 2016, she says her fellow firefighters "created an uncomfortable working environment" and she eventually stopped reporting for duty the following month.

Penn Live says its attempts to reach fire company President Michael McKillip for comment were unsuccessful Tuesday.