Posted on 01/06/2023 6:59:51 AM PST by Red Badger
VIDEO AT LINK.............
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Kay’Ana Adams wears her tattoos with pride, as she used to wear her Mobile Fire-Rescue uniform with pride, until she was fired over a tattoo on the back of her head.
Adams worked at the Mobile Fire Department Maryvale station on Dauphin Island Parkway for nine months until new ink on the back of her head changed it all.
When she got the head tattoo in June 2022, she believed it followed the fire department’s policy, which then prohibited “tattoos on the face or neck.”
“Hiring people before, during and after me with neck tattoos more prominent than mine was also kind of impactful in that as well,” said Adams. “I figured mine could be done in decency and order. I could also, based off the rules, cover it up.”
But that was not the case.
“Somebody put in a complaint in regard to my tattoo, and the next thing I knew I was being investigated for it, interrogated behind it, and then they made their decision that I was in violation of policy,” said Adams.
Mobile man completes 90 day ‘homeless on purpose’ journey for a good cause The city gave her the option to grow her hair out to hide the tattoo and she did it, according to Adams.
Weeks later, a different complaint was made regarding her hair being grown out and not being in compliance with the City’s policy, according to Adams.
“We have different textures of hair,” said Adams, a Black woman. “So, you have no idea how long it takes for my hair to grow.”
Three months after Adams got her tattoo, the department changed the policy to also prohibit head tattoos, above the neckline.
On Nov. 10, a captain at her station took a photo of the back of Adams’ head. The tattoo was no longer visible. Despite her attempts to comply with the previous and updated tattoo policies, Adams says she was fired the day that photo was taken.
“Definitely blindsided, I never thought it would come to this, especially considering I was in compliance. I’m not necessarily out here trying to be disobedient and I’m not breaking any laws or anything like that, it’s just a tattoo,” said Adams. “What’s behind me shouldn’t affect the work that’s in front of me.”
In a written statement provided to News 5, Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste wrote “I can confirm a former firefighter was terminated earlier this year (2022) during their working test period for failing to meet MFRD standards.”
The working test period is six months. Adams says hers was extended by an additional six months.
News 5 asked if any other currently serving Mobile firefighters had tattoos that violated department policy. “Yes,” said the Mobile City Spokesperson, explaining that at least one firefighter has a neck tattoo; he was not being terminated for policy violation, but, instead was being allowed to cover the tattoo until its required removal.
Adams believes she was fired, not just because of her head tattoo and her hair, but because she spoke up about things she experienced and observed during her time as a trainee and new firefighter.
“How else would I supposed to feel, you know, especially coming to work every day on time, doing exactly what I was supposed to do, trying to go above and beyond, helping out where I can, what else, what I could assume,” said Adams.
Adams says she filed one grievance about the tattoo complaint against her.
Adams says she also observed and then filed two complaints, each describing multiple instances of what she says was harassment and antagonization, including what she describes sexist statements by two male firefighters at her station. She alleges one male firefighter repeatedly made disparaging remarks about “feminism and women’s rights.”
“Statements in regard to, you know, I don’t want to work with women,” said Adams. “It just, it definitely impacts you.”
Her termination for the tattoo came just days before Adams expected to get a response on the grievance she filed in response to the complaint about her hair.
Though she did not file a formal complaint, Adams says she also witnessed and “spoke up about” what she called a disturbing incident at the training academy.
“It was rope week and a decent amount of people and the other half of the classroom were discussing, trying to tie nooses.” said Adams. “And, you know, instinctively, I guess I just kind of stood up and said, ‘you know, if you want to learn how to do that, I think that it’s best you do that on your free time’.”
Adams says she confided in two fire captains at her station, Captain Jason Craig and Captain Rodrick Shoots, about her concerns.
Adams, Shoots, and Craig are members of the Black Progressive Firefighters Association.
“Without them, I don’t know how bad it could’ve been. You know I’ve had people yelling at me in my face, and me as a woman and these being men,” said Adams. “I just, I don’t know what would’ve happened if they weren’t there for me. So, it is good that I had people in my corner, willing to stand up for me and you know, have my best interests at heart.”
Man arrested, charged in Paparazzi Club shooting, Walmart shooting and armed home invasion: Mobile Police Adams says Captain Shoots and Captain Craig were both disciplined after they spoke up to defend her on several occasions during the process of dealing with the complaints against her about the tattoo on her head. Captain Jason Craig was suspended. Captain Rodrick Shoots was fired.
In a written statement, Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste said Shoots was terminated for “attempting to obstruct a valid order from a superior officer, ignoring orders and using disrespectful and defiant language to a superior officer.” And, Craig was suspended for 30 days for “insubordination, failure to follow orders from a superior officer and failure to investigate, document and report a violation of MFRD policy.”
Captain Shoots will appeal his termination during a hearing scheduled for January 17, 2023.
Captain Craig will appeal his suspension during a hearing scheduled for January 19, 2023.
Adams has filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint against the department.
Through a spokesperson, Mobile Fire Chief Jeremy Lami and Mayor Sandy Stimpson refused requests for on-camera interviews about the disciplinary actions taken against the three firefighters, saying these are personnel matters subject to litigation.
Fired for poor taste in art, or stupid enough to make it permanent on the back of her head?
I think tats are stupid and ugly.
I also see no reason to fire her. I wouldn’t care if the person pulling me out of a wrecked car had a skull face tattoo, just as long as I got out.
That’s definitely a “neck tattoo”, as well as being on the back of her head.
I just tune out the rest of what they say
Really not sure why it matters much what place a firefighter has had tattooed. Wouldn’t she normally at work have a helmet on? I would also give firefighters more leeway than many employees.
Exactly. What does having or not having a visible tattoo have to do with fighting a fire?
I would bet that this ‘rule’ is rescinded very quickly now that it has become a public phenomena.
The Mobile Fire Department must be run by idiots................
“Black Progressive Firefighters Association.” Uh oh, trouble!
More that being ugly, such a tat shows poor judgement, something not welcomed in FDs.
She seems like such a team player, especially after filing three grievances during her trial period.
True story:
A few years ago I met a lady online, originally from Mexico and quite proud to point out she was high born, not some commoner. She had been working for one of the large home improvement companies in Houston, but had been moved/promoted to the home office.
She said they were disrespectful, and discriminatory against her. Her associates at work were mean. She had already filed a complaint against the company.
For what? I asked. “Racism, of course!” she declared.
I said, “Well, maybe they just don’t like you.”
And that, fellow FReepers, was the end of that date.
Militant “strong black woman” created a situation that got herself in trouble and is now looking for a winning lottery ticket because you know....racism.......I’m betting she hits it AND gets her job back.
Saw this type of perpetual victimhood by minorities for a long time in the DoD ......and it usually worked more times than not.
It’s on her neck. But sounds like she was an ahole no matter what and aholes get fired.
I have a 30YO nephew who’s a firefighter in North Texas. Every time I see him, he’s showing more ink, but no neck tattoos yet.
“I think tats are stupid and ugly.”
Not only that...damned expensive.......and the only thing more expensive than getting ink is getting removed.
“Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:28 NIV
Yeah it’s Old Testement but I live by it.
What other people do is there business.
I came in without ink....that’s the way I plan to go out.
Can she do the job? That’s what I would be concerned about.
I predict a huge business for tattoo removal in the next 10 years. Btw, it hurts as much as getting one. I knew one lady who got an image of David Bowie on their shoulder after he died. Who?
I’ve thought about it, and the only tattoo that makes any sense to have is “Mom’. There’s nothing other person/place/thing in the world that will be guaranteed to have a place in your heart, as long as you live.
Says “I’m stupid”
“Can she do the job?”
Exactly......no doubt physical qualifications have been lowered to allow for the weaker sex.
If she can’t carry my fat ass down 3 flights of stairs and out to safety she’s a fail IMO.
I’m amazed at the number of people you see in public nowadays with visible tattoos.
Tattoos sure are popular nowadays.
I sure don’t understand when and how tattoos became so popular. But it does seem the tattoos are everywhere nowadays.
Well, she can consider the military now - they’re so desperate now they’ll take anyone with a tattoo.
Our downtown area has many Tattoo parlors, and several no downtown.
But we have a large military presence as well. Any time you have military there will be tattoo places. Tattooing used to be illegal in many states, but laws have changed since the 60’s generation took power...............
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