Horsham, PA, Firefighter Fired after Racial Slur Broadcast over Radio
A Horsham firefighter was immediately fired after his racial slur was broadcast over the radio.
The unidentified firefighter was heard calling someone a "dumb f***ing n*****," while complaining about drivers not yielding to emergency apparatus, Horsham Fire Chief Lee Greenberg told CBS News.
Greenberg, who said he learned about the slur from a reporter who called the station, immediately started investigating. And, it didn't take long to identify the firefighter.
The chief added: "It was inadvertantly transmitted over the radio."
Upon his return to the firehouse, the firefighter/EMT, who the chief said was "very upset and very apologetic," was immediately fired.
Greenberg added: "I'm incredibly sorry for this whole situation. It is not a reflection, should not be a reflection of a whole department. 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."
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Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.