Sacramento- The Sacramento City Fire Department has terminated six firefighters and suspended seven others in the wake of a scandal involving allegations that some employees used fire trucks to pick up women in bars.
The investigation began three months ago after a citizen called to complain that firefighters had pulled up to a downtown Sacramento bar in a fire truck and attempted to pick up women. The fire department also turned up incidents of inappropriate use of fire equipment and drinking on duty by some firefighters.
On Tuesday, fire department administrators announced the outcome of their investigation. As a result of the probe, six firefighters, including one captain and one acting captain will receive notices of termination. One of those employees has already resigned. Three other firefighters, including one woman, have been suspended for 30 days. Four firefighters have been suspended for 48 hours. Three written reprimands and three oral reprimands were also given.
The firefighters involved were from Station 6 in Oak Park and Station 1 at 7th and Q streets.
According to fire officials, the inital complaint that sparked the investigation came a few weeks prior to the Porn Star Costume Ball, the event that put the department under public scrutiny. In early July, seven firefighters, six of whom were on duty, attended the ball at Sacramento’s Radisson Hotel. One of the firefighters was accused of sexually assaulting a woman, although criminal charges were not filed. Following the incident, one of the firefighters who attended the ball resigned, two were fired, and three were suspended.
In addition to the disciplinary action, the fire department has announced the formation of an internal affairs department to investiagte any future complaints. The fire department will also rewrite its Code of Ethics, which has not been altered since 1972.