When a black Baltimore firefighter admitted he recently put a noose in a firehouse, it sent shock waves inside the department. The noose found in the East Baltimore fire station prompted outrage and calls for a federal investigation. But now that it is deemed a hoax, there is only anger and frustration that one of their own did the deed. Stephan Fugate, president of the city firefighters union, talked about how this incident continues to impact rank and file.
How did this incident impact morale?
It?s very unfortunate because you have people in the community bad-mouthing and verbally assaulting firefighters at engine company 33, and you can?t blame them because they?re just responding to what they?ve heard. But it?s incredibly unfair. There have been several instances where they are parked at a red light or on a run, where the guys are getting flipped off.
But yet there have been charges that there is racism in the department?
I?ve know people in my career who have harbored hatred, and you don?t last very long. It?s not the type of job for a person who is prejudiced. These guys work in community that is predominantly African-American. They go out and help people and save lives regardless of color. We always say when we respond we don?t care if we are going to a white person?s house or black person?s house.
Has this created tension within the department between blacks and whites?
I think it has been polarizing, and it?s not going to go away. We?re going to keep it on the front burner until we get satisfaction for the members involved.
