Massachusetts Medic Suspended Over Racist NFL Post

A Massachusetts paramedic whose Facebook post referred to NFL football players who took a knee during the national anthem as “porch monkeys” has been suspended by her part-time fire department and terminated by the ambulance company she worked for.

Linda Kimball, a paramedic with Vital EMS and a per diem medic with the Sterling Fire Department, went on to double-down on her comments, saying that calling the players monkeys “was an insult to apes since they are intelligent.” Here is a copy of the post:

Kimball was promptly fired by Vital EMS who released a statement saying: “There is no place at Vital EMS for individuals who promote hatred and bigotry. We take great pride ion our company’s culture of diversity and inclusion.”

Kimball has been suspended by the Sterling Fire Department pending a hearing later this week. Here is a statement released by the Sterling Fire Department.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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