Probe Opened into FL Firefighter's Blackface Photo

    Nov. 4, 2021
    Officials have opened an investigation after a photo surfaced of a Brevard County firefighter/paramedic in blackface at a Halloween party.

    Source Firehouse.com News

    WKMG News
    A Brevard County, FL, firefighter wearing blackface during a Halloween party in a photo that surfaced on social media.
    A Brevard County, FL, firefighter wearing blackface during a Halloween party in a photo that surfaced on social media.

    A Florida firefighter/paramedic is under investigation after an off-duty photo of him in blackface surfaced on social media.

    The photo showing Brevard County firefighter Jake Johnson was taken at a Halloween party, and his identity was confirmed by Don Walker, the communications director for Brevard County.  According to Walker, there has been consultation with the county attorney and human resources department regarding the incident.

    “His behavior does not reflect the values of Brevard County Fire Rescue," Chief Mark Schollmeyer said in a text to Florida Today, "nor do his actions speak for the hundreds of hard-working firefighters in the agency doing great things every day.”

    Brevard County officials stated that Johnson, who works out of Station 63 in Indialantic, has been providing fire and medical services with the department for 16 years and is currently on vacation.

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