L.A. firefighter accused of vulgar act in protest over vaccine mandate

The Los Angeles Fire Department is investigating an incident in which a firefighter “responded inappropriately” after being handed a letter to comply with the city’s vaccine mandate, a department spokeswoman said Wednesday.

The LAFD member responded to receiving the noncompliance letter by dropping his pants and wiping his buttocks with the letter, leaving fecal matter on the document, before dropping it to the ground, according to the Stentorians of Los Angeles City, a group representing African American firefighters.

The situation underscores the deep resistance among some within the Fire Department over the city's mandate that employees be vaccinated.

LAFD spokeswoman Cheryl Getuiza said the incident is alleged to have occurred on Nov. 18. "The department is aware of the seriousness of the allegations and took immediate action upon learning of this incident," she said, declining to comment on the details.

Getuiza said the firefighter is on paid administrative leave and "will face the consequences of any inappropriate acts." She did not elaborate on specifically what prompted the leave.

An LAFD captain and a chief officer witnessed the incident, the Stentorians said in a statement sent to the Board of Fire Commissioners and city leaders. It took place at Fire Station 69 in Pacific Palisades, the group said.

“The LA City Stentorians are sickened and disgusted by this horrific display of unprofessionalism,” the Stentorians' statement said. “To date, we have not heard from anyone from the LAFD administration condemning this act of blatant disrespect and harassment.”

The group called on the mayor, City Council and fire commission "to take swift and immediate action to deter any city employee from feeling entitled and not encouraged but empowered to behave in such an embarrassing and threatening manner."

The Stentorians described the act as a "terminable" offense. Their statement included a photo of a man holding what appeared to be a discolored document.

A person who answered a phone number associated with the man in the photo told The Times on Friday that the man wasn't available. When the reporter called back, the person said they had the wrong number.

The photo sent Wednesday by the Stentorians also circulated within the Fire Department on Friday.