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.
**I came in without ink....that’s the way I plan to go out**
Slaves to fashion. Why make life harder? My wife quit makeup almost 40 years ago. Over that time she has probably saved us $20k. Get ready to somewhere? She’s ready in less time than me.
About any honest woman will admit that high heels are uncomfortable. But being slaves to fashion, they wear them to appear taller, and make their legs look longer. The tallest heels my wife wears might be 2”, but that was most likely because they go with some clothes she wearing.
Yoga pants/skinny jeans is more fashion slavery. If a woman is not looking nearly naked then she isn’t in fashion.
People’s minds change like the wind. I wouldn’t be surprised if tattoo regret is well over 50%
Black Progressive Firefighters Association. Just a guess, but they probably see racism every where they look. And wanted to change everything according to their progressive ideology.
I don’t think this is fair and I don’t like tattoos much
I’ve got a much bigger issue with women firefighters in general it’s a stupid
The military actually has restrictions on where you can have tattoos like that on your hands or your face
That used to be that tattoo signify you were a tough guy either a biker gang are you’d been to prison or the Navy maybe Marines now much like neck beards it doesn’t mean anything you could be a skinny hipster covered in tattoos with a foot long neck beard and you’re still a pussy
We’re getting a little off topic but yes I agree.
My wife swore off high heels many years ago. I’ve been trying to convince her she needn’t color her hair anymore. At 62 we shouldn’t care about things like that and the only person she needs to impress is me and I’m fine with it.
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
OBTW I’m still working on the gentle and quiet spirit thing. 😏
“you could be a skinny hipster covered in tattoos with a foot long neck beard and you’re still a pu**y”
“Now he’s getting a tattoo yeah, he’s getting ink done
He asked for a 13, but they drew a 31
Friends say he’s trying too hard and he’s not quite hip
But in his own mind he’s the, he’s the dopest trip”
_ The Offspring
Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)
Some people are just the walking, talking personification of trouble. In a team/unit environment, they're pure poison. Part of the job is being part of the team. If they can't be part of the team, they can't do the job.
Yep, this wasn’t about a tattoo. You don’t extend probation six months for a rookie that is performing at a satisfactory level. If you don’t have quite enough to be able to reject them for failing probation, you extend so you have enough compelling paper trail to illustrate why the rookie is underperforming required standards.
She wasn’t cutting it as a fireman and she was causing problems for the unit. They just used the tattoo excuse to get rid of her sooner.
When I see people all tatted up, I see human sheep. It’s like the carnival’s in town!
They want to show off their ‘individuality’ by getting tats like everybody else....................
**OBTW I’m still working on the gentle and quiet spirit thing**
Aren’t we all!
My wife feels sorry for the women that get their lips pumped. I guess it’s much more difficult to reverse than tattoos. We know a 50ish woman that did that about 20 years ago, and her lips look shriveled and wrinkled now. A sad sight.
“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.”
How big is she, would she be the one pulling you out of a wreck, I wonder?
My sentiments exactly.
I’m no fan of tattoos, but this is not a public-facing, customer service job. A willingness to run INTO danger is the biggest qualification. Seems like personal appearance should mostly take a back seat to this.
With all the gear that they wear during a fire the public won’t be able to see it, lighten up.
As I just said, most of you don't care a wit what I says in the Bible.
I know their drummer
The one they kicked out for refusing the jab
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58085459.amp
As far as I know botox is irreversible....and I’ve never seen an ink removal job that didn’t leave the skin even more damaged than before.
Neighbors fiancé had a large parrot on her shoulder from a previous marriage.....attempted to have it removed and still had to use makeup to cover for the wedding to my neighbor.
Piercings and gaging seem to be the least invasive as the skin tends to grow back.
Excessive gaging can be corrected by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
I predict one day the fad will be to NOT have body art of any kind.....which will mean I’ve been at the cutting edge of fashion all along. 😁
Good for him!
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