Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
The Aurora Fire Department is investigating allegations that a social media post by a ranking officer was inappropriate and racially offensive. The Colorado Black Professional Firefighters and others expressed concern about the post made last August by Operations Chief Stephen McInerny.
The post reportedly depicted a man in military attire and stated ““This is what a HERO looks like…unlike the whiny pathetic professional athletes that think they are special.”
KDVR quoted the Colorado Black Professional Firefighters as saying:
- We are disappointed but not surprised by Operations Chief Stephen McInerny’s Facebook post.
- We support every American’s First Amendment right and their freedom to exercise their rights, but given our nation’s social climate and the recent event with Elijah McClain in the City of Aurora, we feel it is irresponsible for anyone holding a high position to make such a post.
