D.C. Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe acknowledged accusations of racism within the department following his spokesman being placed on administrative leave.
Fire spokesman Lon Walls was given five days paid leave for commenting on his personal social media pages that he believed a walkout last month by firefighters following Ellerbe’s State of the Department address was driven by racism. Walls and Ellerbe are black; many of the firefighters in the walkout were white.
Firefighters say they were protesting Ellerbe’s leadership in general and in particular his mandate that firefighters buy the new “DCFEMS” gear. At last month’s walkout, firefighters stood up following Ellerbe’s speech, turned around to show the “DCFD” logos on their backs, then left the building.
D.C. firefighters, who asked not to be named, have told The Washington Examiner they believe Ellerbe exhibits favoritism among the department’s management and the rank-and-file doesn’t have faith in his leadership.
On Friday, Ellerbe told Kojo Nnamdi that the department has to be “very careful” when it comes to racial issues.
Ellerbe’s comments came during Nnamdi’s “Policis Hour” program, which is broadcast on WAMU 88.5 FM.
