State fire commission upholds discipline of Lewes member

A state fire commission investigation into a racial slur made by a Lewes Fire Department member has found that the 30-day suspension and other punishment given to the member was appropriate.

Frank Fioravaniti with the investigation division of the Delaware State Fire Commission said the commission had received a complaint about the incident, and started their own investigation.

The volunteer member had been investigated by the Lewes Fire Department after he made a racial comment while on an emergency call. The call was broadcast and recorded on an emergency channel, and the member was suspended for 30 days. 

“Based on their internal policies we believe they followed them,” Fioravaniti said.

In a statement, the commission said it is appalled by the firefighter’s behavior, but the ultimate accountability for the firefighter’s actions lies with the internal policies and enforcement of the fire company.

“While the internal investigation and punishment by the Lewes Fire Company appear to have been handled appropriately according to their by-laws, the Delaware State Fire Commission’s limited authority highlights a need for potentially revisiting how firefighter misconduct is managed and overseen at the state level,” the statement reads.

Fioravaniti said the commission can make a recommendation at the conclusion of an investigation, but that’s it.

Glenn Marshall, spokesman for the Lewes Fire Department, said Lewes worked with the commission during its investigation.

“We did reach out when we saw it evolving, and we worked together,” Marshall said.

Marshall said the comments in no way represent what the Lewes Fire Department believes.

A statement from the Lewes Fire Department said that in addition to the 30-day suspension, the member was removed from office, and is required to take diversity training.

“The fire department does not condone, nor will we tolerate this type of behavior from any of our membership,” the statement reads. “We hold our memberships to the highest level as we are public safety professionals. We are entrusted by the public to ensure that we serve them in the highest capacity and by the actions of one, we have lost trust that we must gain back.”