HOUSTON --
Several videos shot inside Houston fire stations appear to show a violation of the department's no-hazing policy, KPRC Local 2 reported Sunday.
The videos are circulating on the Internet. Some show rookies being drenched with water inside fire stations. One shows a rookie trying to hold a spoonful of cinnamon in his mouth. Another one shows a spinning chair powered by two air tanks. The firefighter eventually gets up and smiles.
The president of Houston's Black Firefighters Association said rookies of all races are getting hazed because of a "don't tell" culture throughout the department.
"If you don't want to play, you're out and not going to fit in," Otis Jordan said. "The crews are going to turn on you because you don't want to put up with this. You won't be able to work at (Fire Station) 68."
Three of the four videos came from Station 68 in southwest Houston.
Jordan said he believes a "don't tell" culture contributed to recent sexist and racist graffiti being scrawled inside the living quarters of two female firefighters.
A fire department spokesperson said that if the anti-hazing policy is being broken, someone should report it. The department planned to look at the videos Monday.
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