City Suspends Assistant Chief For Outrageous Remarks

An assistant chief with the Mount Vernon (NY) Fire Department has been suspended after a profanity-laden audio recording of him speaking with a fire lieutenant surfaced. Al-Farid Salahuddin was suspended without pay, and Mayor Andre Wallace was quoted by News 12 as saying he was “disgusted” after listening to it.

The 32 minute recording included inflammatory language with racist overtones, accusing City Council members, current and former mayors, and firefighters of an assortment of misdeeds. It was reportedly recorded in a fire station.

Chief Salahuddin was named in a race discrimination suit earlier this year by another black firefighter who claims he and a captain  repeatedly called him “faggot”, “piece of shit”, “white boy lover”, “caterer to the white boys” and “fake brother.” More on the story here.

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.
x

Check Also

KCMO Firefighter Charged in YCMTSU Case

A firefighter in Kansas City, Missouri is facing felony charges for reportedly urinating on a female colleague’s personal property in a KC firehouse. KC police have charged Pleaze Robinson III with first-degree harassment and first-degree property damage over the incident that occurred on September 10, 2023.

NJ Court Upholds Removal of Firefighter From Promotional List

The Appellate Division of New Jersey Superior Court has upheld a decision to remove a firefighter from a promotional list based on his poor disciplinary record. John Shaw sought to challenge his removal from the promotional list for lieutenant in the Belleville Fire Department, claiming it was politically based due to his record as a Democrat conflicting with the Republican-leaning administration.