An FDNY training video has sparked significant backlash, leading to calls from city leaders for a thorough investigation into the department's practices and curriculum. In the video, students of color are seen carrying cotton balls across a room with their hands tied behind their backs. The incident, which took place in an FDNY training classroom in Queens during a summer youth program, was first brought to public attention by Gothamist.
Councilmember Rita Joseph, who chairs the Committee on Education, described the act as "blatant racism" and demanded more than just dismissals, stating, "We need a full and honest assessment of the curriculum and practices within this program." Her concern suggests an underlying issue of systemic racism that extends beyond a isolated incident. Following the surfacing of the video, the FDNY responded by firing the employee responsible for the activity. Schools spokesperson Nicole Brownstein, as per an statement obtained by Gothamist, has also called for a probe, stating that "This kind of egregious behavior is in no way aligned with our values or expectations for schools and is being thoroughly investigated."
The assistant commissioner, who had been with the FDNY for many years, faced termination after publicly sharing the video, which Mayor Eric Adams and others found offensive. Luz Hanny, a parent of two daughters who participated in the training, expressed her dismay, saying the video was "discriminating to me." Her sentiment reflects broader concerns about the racially charged imagery of the exercise, detailed in a report by PIX11.
EMS Local 2057 president Oren Barzilay criticized the video, labeling it “disgraceful” and representative of the department’s history of racial and gender bias. This criticism aligns with a class-action lawsuit brought forward by FDNY EMS members in 2022, highlighting the persistence of these issues within the department. School's Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos also condemned the training exercise, insisting on the importance of a learning environment where every student is respected and affirmed, as reported by PIX11.
