Oct. 5--STERLING, MA-- A town paramedic has been fired after a hearing into her alleged posting of racist remarks on her Facebook page.
Meantime, her husband, a Charlton firefighter, has been ordered to take sensitivity training for related social media postings.
Fire Chief David Hurlbut said Wednesday that paramedic Linda Kimball was fired after a closed-door hearing with the chief and Town Administrator Ross Perry.
Mrs. Kimball had been suspended from her job with the town earlier in the week after it was learned she made what were seen as racially inflammatory comments on Facebook criticizing members of the New England Patriots for kneeling during the national anthem before the team's Sept. 24 game. She used the term "porch monkeys."
Mrs. Kimball has also been fired from her job with Vital EMS, a private ambulance company in Worcester.
Chief Hurlbut said the hearing was held to determine if there was cause to discipline Mrs. Kimball for her conduct. He said she was given an opportunity to be heard. He said no further comment would be made on the case other than to say that, "I wish to reiterate that the members of the Sterling Fire Department do not share the views expressed by Mrs. Kimball in her post and will continue to serve all members of the public with the utmost respect and professionalism."
Mrs. Kimball's Facebook page appears to have been removed.
Her husband, Mark Kimball, a firefighter and medic with the Charlton Fire Department, also came under scrutiny for a statement he made on Facebook in defense of his wife. After a review by Charlton Town Manager Robin Craver and Fire Chief Charles E. Cloutier Jr., Mr. Kimball was found to have violated the town's policy of employees not posting anything on social media that relate to their jobs. In this case, when he made his statement, he was wearing his firefighting helmet in his Facebook profile picture.
Ms. Craver said Mr. Kimball is taking personal time off. When he returns he will be expected to go through sensitivity training. She said the remarks he posted, although strongly worded, were not racist. Still, it has been made clear to him that his remarks and those of his wife will not be tolerated by the town, she said.
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