A federal jury in Alexandria has ruled that the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department knew of and tolerated a male lieutenant’s sexual harassment of a female firefighter and has awarded her $250,000. Click here to read the rest of the Washington Post Article.
Brother Big Eye
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49 comments:
No comments yet? WTF? How about a vote of no confidence for the entire 2068 E-Board, Fire Chief, and Caussin.
So what now...conduct unbecoming, fired, relocated??
These a-holes continuously put a dent in what the good guys are trying to build.
Ooooo...look at me, I am protected! Give me a break. Who the hell do these yardbreathers think they are.
If the second law suit that is about to start has the same outcome what will happen then?Should the LT. be fired? There is obviously a pattern! Right or wrong, remember the only thing we can control is what goes on at our fire house on our shift. Make sure your people know their job and follow the rules. Oh yea, and stand by for a lot of sexual harrasment training coming from the fire department!
The second lawsuit is going to be icing on the cake but not for Lt. Tim. How about her first shift??? CaptII cooks alot? Now CaptII Teach alot when it comes to single family dwellings but has never fought one Dan?? or now Lt I run alot for the double deuce!!! Please your guys arrogance is pathetic!!
The LT will be promoted, thats how Mastin and Caussin operate. Look at that Captain at 16, I bet his discipline file is at least 3 inches thick, but he got his year back from when he was on Admin leave after getting SHOT in a drug deal gone bad. He took a dump on a fire scene down a pipe stem, yet only got a verbal??? Conduct unbecoming only applies to certain classes of people. The morons that run this house are inept and corrupt! Fire the whole 7th floor!!!!
They should all be fired. The next suit is the BIG one.
As an employee of this organization, I can first hand testify that FIRE CHIEF Ron Mastin, Assistant Fire Chief John Caussin and their henchman Guy Morgan, have accomplished total destruction of morale through their dictatorship, micromanagement and rule through threat and intimidation. They are ineffective leaders who abuse their authority. They willingly turn a blind eye to obvious indiscretions and pursue, with vigor, anyone who challenges their authority. This not only affects the personnel trying to professionally perform the duties they are trained to perform, but it fosters a hostile work environment that affects the overall ability to accomplish the mission of professionally serving the citizens and visitors to Fairfax County. I am appalled that the Board of Supervisors have yet to launch a SERIOUS investigations to the tactics employed by Ron Mastin and John Causssin to crucify those who should not be crucified. They allow, time after time, members to get away with serious criminal acts with little or no repercussions, but pursue, with vigor, minor offenses, especially from those with intelligence. that question their authority. How many wrongful terminations or lawsuits will it take for the Board of Supervisors to recognize ineffective leadership within it's fire department??? The time to act is NOW!
A long time coming...this conduct has been tolerated for years
Nah, just promote the problems. Thats what we normally do
Pride. Have it, live it, keep it. One out of 1500 and we all look bad.
As you aware there has been a recent federal court ruling against the Fire Department for sexual harassment. I wanted to write to you to share my thoughts on the issue as well as seek any opinions/thoughts you may have.
I believe that all Fairfax County Firefighters are a dedicated and special group of people. I believe they are all intensely committed to their profession through their dedication to their fitness, their integrity, and genuine desire to serve the citizens of Fairfax County. The fire department is our home and we are family. Everyone should feel safe in their home. Everyone should be treated with dignity. Everyone needs to have a working environment that is safe and free of humiliation of others.
There is no place for harassment or discrimination of any kind in the fire department.
I think we need to ask the question what drives this behavior and how do we change it?
In my 23 years in the fire service I have seen significant change as it relates to equality and personal interaction. I believe at this point we would best be served by focusing less on what progress has been made and instead ask ourselves how much more progress is needed.
Every member of our department has organizational responsibility and individual accountability. Every firefighter has a value system and should respect that above all else. Every member should feel that have a right to speak up. Going along to get along has no place in a profession where situational awareness and the ability to speak up in the presence of danger provides our very safety.
If you can’t trust your buddy to have your back at the kitchen table can you really expect that he/she will risk everything to save you in another situation?
I have always loved the traditions of the fire department. I have always loved the healthy fire department humor and colorful storytelling that we all practice. I believe that our humor and interaction between each other is not only necessary to create the essential camaraderie of our profession but also produces a layer of insulation from the harsh realities that we are often times called upon to mitigate. There is a line that can be crossed.
We need to focus on the organizational leadership and what needs to be done to ensure individual and organizational responsibility to every level of the rank and file.
We need to take a serious look at what effect the budgetary decision to eliminate the Uniformed EEO Officer position and the Uniformed Women’s Program Officer has had in terms of contributing to this problem. There is a way to educate and train all of our members about some of the pitfalls of harassment and discrimination that is honest and holistic yet deeply serious at the same time. We have a constant flow of compassion and empathy for the citizens we protect. Our interaction with one another should be no different.
You can train all day, save 5 children, put out all the fires, bring back a cardiac arrest and in one fell swoop we all have a black eye.
I hope that this will serve as a significant catalyst for meaningful and positive change.
I believe it’s time to police ourselves. I would like to see a summit with some of our most respected rank and file leaders leading a dialogue about where we go from here.
"Now CaptII Teach alot when it comes to single family dwellings but has never fought one Dan??" Are you kidding me? Do you work in the 3rd or 7th Battalion? Can I call you retard that talks alot?
I'm surprised no one has mentioned how utterly embarressing this is to our profession. We don't need this type of publicity for our department. Hopefully, we can get beyond this and the BOS and the citizens of the County will have short memories?
This is crazy! I don't understand why people can't just come to work and do their jobs without all this BS! The history is great for anyone that has a legit gripe:
Silva-got her Lt back
Gleske-got his BC rank back
Getts-Bland-$250K
The female from 30-C next-$300K
What are we doing???????????
let's face it, we hire incompetent people, we promote incompetent people, and now that incompetence has promoted all the way to the 7th floor. The hillbilly Fire Chief has no idea how to run a Fire Dept., the arrogant AC of operations is a hot headed paramedic that couldn't hack it in the field and we are shocked??? These guys took some classes and now we expect them to run a Fire Department with real people and play with numbers above three digits. "well Chief it worked on paper at the National Fire Academy". Come on!! Remember it's all about the "business needs" except if we were a business we would be out of business. And as far as the budget effecting the Uniformed EEO and Women's program officers. What qualified Capt.Edwards to be in charge of EEO??? hmmm? Nothing. Uniforms belong on firefighters. Put educated people in those other positions. Not that we aren't educated people, there are some of the finest firefighters I know that work for this County, but we have no business in HR positions. Have faith my brothers and sisters.... Change is a coming, but it takes us working together to make change. Let's clean house and start fresh.
The Commander of the Blue Angels just stepped down because he lead the group to perform a in a dangerous maneuver.
Fire Chief Mastin and Assistant Chief John Caussin you MUST step down. If you care about the working men and women and if you care about this fire & rescue department like you say you do. YOU will DO the RIGHT thing and leave the department to a competent authority. Your integrity is now being questioned publicly bringing disrepute to our beloved organization.
To PTB-FTM to answer your question no I do not work in those battalions. My point is that whom you protect was an officer in said station that did nothing to stop this behavior.
The problem has been brewing for years. We used to have Federally Mandated EEO Training. Hasn't anybody noticed the sudden appearance of the "training" online? It was a rush to put something together to protect the department. We stopped the training a few years ago because of "time constraints" during trimester training. As it stands today, ALL Fairfax County Grants received from the Federal Government are at risk. Yep, even the precious USAR money and team. That's right, no more hero stuff. Let the right Federal Organization get hold of this information and we are in trouble.
As for the comment about having a uniformed EEO Officer...give me a break. Do your homework. The EEO office works to gather information to lower the negative impact on the county and department. They work for the County Atty and HR. So never ever talk to them. They are not on your side. Go straight to the Feds! Trustme, I have done the research! Unlike the L2068 who save a position that is in place to harm employees. They may have been ignorant of that but that is no excuse. Shame on John Miemiec and the Local Board. And what is Yoland Hartwell doing with the $20,000 that is given to her Human
Relations committee to prevent these things? Planning the Union Picnic. Wow. Misappropriations of funds in the Union? Let's have an AUDIT? Let's see if the Union was party to this. Oh, that's right. Tim Young is a Battailion Rep!!!! Wow!! So the Union is also gui8lty of TOLERATING Sexual Harrasment!!!!! What a waste of money and time.
I thought this was a Progressive Department and Union. Obviously not. I am ashamed to be working with Tim Young and paying union dues. Both will end soon.
I promise that.
Warren Isman Jr.- you should be ashamed of yourself mentioning John Gleske with those other people. I am quite certain you don't have all the facts you think you do. The only reason he didn't get it back earlier was so a certain LT would not lose his position at the time...but I guess you didn't know that did you? There was no money attached to his either, just the credit he deserves. It's disturbing that you don't know JG has more experience and smarts than ANYONE in my 31 years here... Sorry, I am sure you never made a mistake in your life, right?
The Lt in the law suit is an idiot and obviously awful supervisor, that I am sure of... Also, the person that got the money was an incompetent employee that should have never been hired, let alone be allowed to drive a fire truck. (it helps to know how to put it in pump gear if you want to drive an Engine)
You mix these two morons together and you get a black eye for our department which is embaressing.
To the Citizens of Fairfax County,
We regret the unfortunate incident of sexual harassment and misconduct has reached the court systems and the media. From this we will make every effort to ensure that change, we mean positive change will occur.
Our leadership has failed us but WE will not fail YOU. The professional fire fighters and paramedics that are on duty today, tomorrow and so on are ready to respond to your emergency call. YOU are our priority, your call will not go unanswered. These unfortunate incidents will not deter us in assisting you in your time of need.
Sincerely,
What the Fire Chief should be saying to YOU!
On that note Mr. and Mrs. Citizen please write your local Board of Supervisor and demand the removal of Fire Chief Mastin.
Why do people in the Fire Department LOVE to throw stones? THe guy who said that Ms. Bland is a moron because she couldnt put an enging in pump gear..judging by the harsh conditions she has been forced to deal with, and being an employee who has seen this first hand, how would YOU perform if you werent in the good ol boys network? I have seen people purposely give woefully inadequate training to incoming rookies who are minorities, women, or just people who are disliked for whatever reason. Then after the employee fails at an aspect of their job, they are labled a a "piece of sh*t." This job is NOT rocket science and it never will be. Whenever a firefighter has an issue with an aspect of the job, the FIRST people that should be looked at is the shift and their immediate supervisors, NOT the employee. That type of thinking that you are making public about Ms. Bland being a moron is exactly whats wrong with this department now. We talk about "family" and "brotherhood," but people like to make up for their own shortcomings by bashing and belittling others. Grow up and act professional.
leigh-would your uniformed EEO/women's officer be able to help train these women on how to do their jobs right (after they BS their way through recruit school) so everyone else on the shift can do their own jobs instead of babysitting and having to watch their backs all the time? if so, then bring them back.
Wow...
To the anonymous commenter @10:15 PM May 28: if that's the way you feel about women in the fire service, I'm glad I'm not your colleague in the field. As it is I'm ashamed to be in the same union with some of the men out there who have been named in the lawsuit from Brother Big Eye's other post. If the allegations there are judged to be true, FCFD needs to address a ton of issues.
Donna Will / retired dispatcher
(Brother Big Eye, in your comment moderation - if you think it's a bad idea that I signed my name, please feel free to delete. I'm not afraid to speak out though.)
Here's a thought....we should, without blinking, immediately terminate those involved in the matter whose conduct has now been accepted by a jury as being responsible for supporting a $250,000 judgment (plus attorney fees). Should Ms. Bailey prevail in her lawsuit, the same fate should befall every one who is/was party to the matter. It would be a lot cheaper in the long run to bar the door on those dirtbags than to have to pay the judgments and suffer the public embarassment.
Whether you think the women who brought these suits should have ever been allowed to wear our uniform is an entirely separate matter. How about we clean house on the 6th FLOOR? Let's see what's housed there....hmmm...ohhh Personnel Services, Safety & Health, and ...TA-DAHHHH Recruitment. The Recruitment shop has been a safety net for zeros for 25 years or more. It's no wonder we get who we get....look at what they do (or don't do) and where they go to recruit. Heaven forbid we talk about that floor, though....it's the Golden Cow of the Sager Ave. Posse. Thanks Kevin Kincaid and Mike Neuhard....you left your legacy to be sure.
Heck of a job Nemo. While you and your cronies were conducting the witch hunt of Mike Mohler and the VAPFF, this was going on under your noses? The senior staff of the FRD and the Executive Board of the Local should take a look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves, am I satified with what has happened. If the answer is no, and they have any integrity at all, they should immediately resign.
I just read the Bailey complaint and if she does prevail, they should fire all of the harassers at 30, (not allow them to retire or resign) starting with the most prolific misogynist in the FRD, Iacone. How the heck he still has a job, I don't know, as he has gotten more free passes for sexual harrassment dating back to when he was new officer. (I know one of the first females he harassed into quiting the department) He is a total blight on our profession.
To Anonymous at 1:44pm on May 28th,
I can agree with 75% of your post: The A/C of Operations is certainly arrogant, hotheaded and wasn't exactly a rock star in any of his field assignments. However, while he has taken the class and passed the test, he has of yet failed to achieve the status of a pimple on a real paramedics ass.
It's great to have people commenting again, I just wish the entire Fire service community didn't have to get kicked in the nuts to get people back to their keyboards.
ps..what is a yardbreather?
Totally agree about Recruitment... the person there now is a big goose egg... but that would be another subject wouldn't it?
The perp on the E board (Young) needs to leave... the guy is a cancer to the department and L-2068 but my sources say he refuses to step down stating the "members voted me in"... sounds a lot like Marion Barry or that idiot Johnson's wife on the PG Council... do us a favor Young and leave out the back door please. No one would truly want want you representing us after the display from the Getts lawsuit and the upcoming one which I am sure you will be mentioned several times...
What's the common denominator here people???
Once again, Mastin and Caussin have done nothing but bring this FD down. They need to do the right thing, step down and leave! And the answer is not Burke or Dyer. Bring someone in from the outside and straighten this shit out!
The common denominator is the hillbilly fire chief and narcissistic assistant chief take "for granite" they are untouchable!
Cant put a band aid on an arterial bleed!!
I'd like to know how Leigh can talk about doing the job of a firefighter when she can't even pass the work performance test. Just shut up!!
Lots more info... here
http://firelawblog.com/2011/05/fairfax-county-sexual-harassment-double-header/
To anonymous at May 30, 2011 8:11 AM. Is that all ya got? Weak. Pathetically weak. Attack someone else for your shortcomings. Is that it? At least she had some intelligent comments and arguements. You resort to attacks. That is what is wrong with the fire service. Why can't any of the "big, tough firemen" face up to the fact that women are here and have been for years. You losers don't run a fire a shift but attack good employees that do THEIR job every day. If you don't like it then quit. Go to DC or FDNY. Except you can't cut it there. You are pathetic. Wake up. You are not the big hero you think you are saying stuff like that. Thank god I am in a position to put you in your place. Let's work together and I will make sure you do your job.
Yes, it might be weak but true. Any firefighter that is not "fit" for duty or calls in sick when he/she is scheduled for work performance is questionable. With LB's history of failing WP, its just interesting. I would not want that firefigther, male or female, next to me when a rescue is necessary.
On another note:
No harassment of any type is acceptable, male or female, but here's another question for ya.
How many firefighters have been a part of some type of hazing on a probationary firefighter? How many years was hazing of new probies part of the job? When did the tables turn for it to get this bad?
May 30, 8:11 AM. Bet you didn't cut it in the field either and that is why you say you are in a position to make other's do, what you couldn't. So, you act bold, atleast on here to make that statement. Bet you won't come forward. you are just another POS from HQ that has no idea what a FF is!!!
To Anonymous at May 30, 2011 8:07 PM...Thank you for your response. Not negative or attacking. I appreciate debate like this.
I agree that anyone that is subject to operations be ready to go to work. That is not in question. But, lets get real, it takes 12 ff's to rescue one. Phoenix proved that. If you remember any of our RIT drills you cannot argue the point. We need to be able to do our job no matter what the circumstances. That is very true. I agree with you there.
However, I have worked with many "protected classes" and would chose to work with them any day compared to lazy pos's that sit around complaining about those same people. It's about heart and the desire to do our job. Not about muscles. I have seen that for many years in this job. Give me "protected class" people that have heart and desire over a bunch of complaining whining FF's any day.
We are our worst enemy. Why fight it? Do our job, stop judging others and serve the citizens we pledged to take care of. Let's stop pointing fingers and do what we were hired to do. Help the citizens. Not slam our coworkers.
Just a thought...
To Anonymous at May 30, 2011 10:32PM:
Well Said! If more people chose a positive attitude like yours, the department would be in much better shape.
Citizens of Fairfax County,
Email your supervisor and let them how disgusted you are. Tell them you want the immediate removal of Chief Mastin and Assistant Chief Caussin.
An organization is only as good as its leaders and these two are a big part of
the Fire Departments' problems. Remember board members, this is an election year!!!
Board Members
Chairman, At-Large — Sharon Bulova Sharon.Bulova@fairfaxcounty.gov
Districts
Braddock — John C. Cook Jonh.Cook@fairfaxcounty.gov
Dranesville — John W. Foust John.Foust@fairfaxcounty.gov
Hunter Mill — Catherine M. Hudgins Catherine.Hudgins@fairfaxcounty.gov
Lee — Jeff C. McKay Jeff.McKay@fairfaxcounty.gov
Mason — Penelope A. Gross, Vice Chairman Penny.Gross@fairfaxcounty.gov
Mount Vernon — Gerald W. Hyland Gerald.Hyland@fairfaxcounty.gov
Providence — Linda Q. Smyth Linda.Smyth@fairfaxcounty.gov
Springfield — Pat Herrity Patrick.Herrity@fairfaxcounty.gov
Sully — Michael R. Frey Michael.Frey@fairfaxcounty.gov
All these problems go back way before Caussin or Mastin took over. They are just following the same foot steps. Thats right Rohr, Neuhardt (the worst we ever saw) Stinnett, and Gaines. They all have fault with what is going on. Here are a few things to consider:
Stolen Captains exam. They turned a blind eye, even after the IA officer showed them who stole it. Even after the IA officer resigned because he "could no longer work for a department that lacks integrity." (this person may now be a chief officer in Alexandria)
KKK on the head board and trash dumpster. I received a letter as well as everyone else in the department. "We will take swift action" Bull $h!!. As soon as we found out it was a black guy trying to get the heat off of himself we dropped that like a bad habit. What the hell ever happened to Khalil over this anyway?
Having sex in the fire house might get you demoted but being strung out on crack at the firehouse with your crack whore passed out in the parking lot is ok. Isn't it JT?
Multiple DWI's are ok. Too many here to discuss.
I would take a day of LWOP to get the entire summer off with pay. Wouldn't you? All you have to do is steal something from a citizen in their time of need then claim you are stressed out. Anyone wishing to follow these foot steps can ask Lt. David how to do this.
Threaten a citizen then pull out your deputy badge. Its happened.
I wonder if Recruitment ever hired anyone without doing a back ground check, or anyone that failed a polygraph? Yes and Yes
Has an officer and a prominent member of the progressives ever been busted at BWI entering the country with cocaine in his possession? yes
Has information ever been allowed to get out for promotional exams. Of Course. Thats how they get people promoted that they want to get promoted. Year after year something happens. We could fix it by going outside the department but we dont want to fix it.
The list goes on and on and on. The one common denominator is the Department does nothing about it. I always knew it was a matter of time until the walls came crumbling down. Maybe its a good thing so we can start to rebuild. We need to get fresh blood on top. Not the same ol hire from within BS, where everyone has a buddy or is afraid of a special interest groups. Someone from outside with no ties, no fears and no skeletons.
Last word: Boswell..shut the hell up about the work performance test. If you or anyone else for that matter can not pass this test then you should not be a member of a fire department. Try the blue light at K-mart.
The weird thing is, we are all protected classes but we have been led to believe that its only blacks and women. PLEASE, educate yourselves before you do something dumb:
Protected class is a term used in United States anti-discrimination law. The term describes characteristics or factors which can not be targeted for discrimination and harassment. The following characteristics are considered "Protected Classes" and persons cannot be discriminated against based on these characteristics:
Race - Federal: Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1866
Color - Federal: Civil Rights Act of 1964
Religion - Federal: Civil Rights Act of 1964
National origin - Federal: Civil Rights Act of 1964
Age (40 and over) - Federal: Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
Sex - Federal: Equal Pay Act of 1963 & Civil Rights Act of 1964
Familial status (Housing, cannot discriminate for having children, exception for senior housing)
Sexual orientation (in some jurisdictions and not in others)
Gender identity (in some jurisdictions and not in others)
Disability status - Federal: Vocational Rehabilitation and Other Rehabilitation Services of 1973 & Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Veteran status - Federal Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974
Genetic information - Federal: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
Nobody said blacks or women. special interest groups ALSO includes Local 2068. People like you putting words in other peoples mouths tend to stir up a bunch of crap. (and the smell rises to the top my friend!!!)
I cant speak of the entire law suit with Baily, but I do know that its not 100% factual. The person she has corroborating her story is shall we say less than credible also. It does sound funny that the same person involved in the last law suit is being accused of saying and doing the same things in this one. Makes you wonder if some of it is true.
"PLEASE, educate yourselves before you do something dumb: The following characteristics are considered "Protected Classes" and persons cannot be discriminated against based on these characteristics"
I think we are educated enough to know that people are currently being discriminated against and favoritism in this department is rampant. What's good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander. I mean no disrespect, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.
It is important to remember that the term "reverse discrimination" is actually a fallacy, too. Regardless of what party is being discriminated against, it is wrong, plain and simple. It was wrong then, and it is still wrong now.
No matter the results of the trial, I believe we need need to come to terms with a lot of our issues, rather than sweeping them under the rug as we have in the past. This includes holding people accountable for their actions or lack thereof. If it is determined that those being accused did wrong, they should be held accountable. Just the same, those people who deliberately make wrongful accusations should be held accountable.
we may all be protected classes, but only some classes are getting the benefit. I dont see many adverse or disparate impact arguments or cases because too many white males didn't do well on an entry exam or promotional process.
You know who is gaining the advantage. At what point will we stop giving away stuff and start making people earn it. The past is the past, and I think that we have done enough "making things right" lets start putting the best people in the proper positions and forget about what looks good in a photo shoot, and what will make us stand out for having the first female Deputy or a Assistanct Chief that doesn't meet the established career development requirements for the position.
Thanks for not blaming my daddy with the list of other chiefs!
June 1, 2011 7:07 PM
Very well said. I love that someone finally agrees that no matter who is discriminating on who, it is wrong either way. Never liked the term reverse discrimination because it implies that if it wasnt "reverse," then it is acceptable. Also, this is a primary reason why many victims dont come forward. Read the posts. If someone comes forward, they are immediately labeled and derided for coming out. When a victim holds people accountable, then people always say someone is playing a race card or trying to get someones money. How about act like an adult and stop treating people like trash and you won't have these issues anymore. Also, if people stop acting like idiots,it will make it so much easier to weed out the baseless discrimination charges that sometimes pop up.
@ June 1, 2011 8:18 PM
History has shown time and time again that you can't leave it up to the organization to do the right thing in terms of non discriminatory practices. You really think tht minorities would be hired and promoted if there weren't lawsuits? Come on..it's so easy for someone who is not legitimately discriminated against to cry when 4 out of 30 recruits in a class are minorities. YOu always assume that because someone is a minority, that they only got the job because they are a minority and a "quality" white candidate was left out. Only people with prejudices truly think about that. Get over yourself. The number of whites and males in the department still outnumber the number of minorities and women. Stop living in your fantasy world. WHy do I only see minorities and women being bashed for doing a poor job on these borads, but never see the typical good ol'boy who sleeps all day and cant walk up 2 flights of stairs in a high rise being bashed just as equally? I guess only white men are superior firefighters?
To June 1, 2011 7:07 PM, Thank you for a sensible statement. If I haven't worked with you I hope I do. Common Sense. Very refreshing.
I wish we could all approach situations this way. From the most difficult to the simplest, common sense is the easiest and most effective way to handle any situation.
God Bless Common Sense!
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