Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Leader, Respect & Inclusion City of Calgary, Calgary Fire Department at City of Calgary, Calgary Fire Department Canada 445 connections. Former Calgary firefighter Shannon Pennington is sharing his experiences after a report surfaced this week showing rampant racism in the ranks of the Calgary Fire Department. "We have a culture where people tend not to report things for fear of retaliation," he said in a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon. Jan. 19, 2021, Calgary – Extreme racism festering in the city’s fire halls is “horrifying” and “unacceptable,” says Calgary’s mayor, reacting to a CBC News story about the toxic culture in the fire department. The City of Calgary has hired an independent investigator to look into allegations of racism in the Calgary Fire Department following the city’s anti-racism public hearings in July 2020. He said the City should be a leader in supporting an “actively anti-racist” workplace, and that means having the right plans to address discrimination. Please try again. An electrician for the New York Fire Department, Gregory Seabrook, second from left, with his lawyers at a news conference in 2011. Despite this, Calgary Fire Department continues to respond to EMS calls because Calgary operates a satellite dispatch centre (Calgary 911) that provides EMS, fire, and police dispatch services,” McMillan said. Pennington said the racism began the day he arrived at rookie school in 1976, with a slur written on the label of his desk. “The Calgary Fire Department recognizes work is needed and it’s working through a solid respect and inclusion work plan and making a number of strides in key areas,” Black told city council. “In addition to the diversity and inclusion work that’s currently underway, there is also a working group that meets regularly on strategies to advance diversity and inclusion work within the Calgary Fire Department, as well as to monitor and receive updates and confidential investigations,” Black said. Both city manager David Duckworth and community services GM Katie Black acknowledged the reporting and said all allegations are taken “very seriously” and investigated, but would not discuss specifics revealed in the CBC report. — Matt Osborne (@Osborne255) January 19, 2021, “While the CFA did not receive the letter mentioned in the reporting, our board is following up with the CFD and the city regarding the nine changes,” Osborne wrote. Matt Osborne of the Calgary Firefighters Association tweeted that the reporting “is being talked about” but said they had not received a letter from BIPOC members to CFD Chief Steve Dongworth outlining their concerns. EMS dispatch consolidation to result in call flow interruption, response delays: Calgary officials, The mayor said a report on the investigation’s findings will be completed “soonish.”. The letter, which has also been viewed by Postmedia, outlines nine actions the group says need to be taken immediately. Summary. 60 votes, 53 comments. Calgary’s first female firefighter qualified for, and joined the department, in 1989. CALGARY (CityNews) – Allegations of racism and discrimination at an already stressful job. Calgary fire Chief Steve Dongworth called reports of racism in his fire halls "concerning" and says problem employees are difficult to deal with because they're "very clever" and "very subtle" in how they operate. The group of firefighters allege in their letter that diversity and inclusion efforts at CFD have amounted to “ticking of boxes,” and they’ve experienced PTSD because of workplace abuse. The fire department sent Yaniv – who sometimes goes by the name Simpson – a letter telling her she will face charges if she continues to ask for help getting out of the bath. Mayor Naheed Nenshi said reports of racist abuse at the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) are “unacceptable,” and he wants answers about what the City knew and when. 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On Monday, CBC News published detailed accounts from seven current and former members of the Calgary Fire Department who confirmed that although it’s become less blunt over the years, BIPOC firefighters still experience insidious racism within the city’s fire halls. Please see our Commenting Policy for more. Nenshi said there are investigations underway in each of the departments where problems were reported. Get a roundup of the most important and intriguing national stories delivered to your inbox every weekday. “Our competence and suitability for the job is constantly, irrationally, and discriminatorily questioned and scrutinized.”. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. A group of current and former “racialized or otherwise marginalized” CFD members wrote to Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth last summer, saying they’ve dealt with a “toxic” work environment where “anyone who does not conform to an outdated image of the typical firefighter” is in danger. In 2016, Calgary lobbied for, and won, the right to retain control of its ambulance dispatch system. The city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. 184k members in the Calgary community. Jyoti Gondek told Danielle Smith that the allegations of racist actions and words disgusted her. Steve Dongworth has been addressing allegations of racism in his department since a CBC News story last month. He said he wanted to encourage firefighters facing racism or harassment to reach out for support. Fire Chief Steve Dongworth appeared before the community and protective services committee on Wednesday. Click to share quote on Twitter: "Systemic racism is so embedded within our institutions and organizations," the Ward 3 councillor said. The department was created on 25 August 1885 as the Calgary Hook, Ladder and Bucket Corps. We regularly review our policies and use ongoing analysis and employee feedback to guide our work in these areas.”. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. Tuesday evening, senior officials with the city responded to a CBC report alleging BIPOC firefighters were subjected to racism on the job, calling it a “toxic work environment.”, Read more: It’s disgusting.”. It’s not having a complaints office to go to. It’s just accepting that these things happen and not trying to change it so it doesn’t happen.”. Ward 3 Coun. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. He referenced the City’s respectful workplace policy and the CFD’s respect and inclusion team. CBC reported that two workplace reviews of CFD have been conducted since 2014, but they’ve never been made public. The Fire Chief (C1), under whom four deputy chiefs serve (C2, C3, C4, C5), are all based at 4330 Dufferin Street - the central headquarters for both Toronto Fire and Toronto Paramedic Services.The four division commanders (C6, C7, C8, C9) are each based in their respective commands - north, east, south and west. We must assure Calgarians all of our departments actively respect ALL employees & citizens. CPHR. They are exceedingly reasonable. Calgary Fire Association vice president Matt Osborne said the union would be following up with the CFD and the City on the nine demands in the firefighters’ letter, as well as additional steps. “One of my top priorities is to ensure that CFD focuses on enhancing diversity and inclusion and fostering a work environment where employees feel valued and respected,” Dongworth said. Read more: We encountered an issue signing you up. As of April 2020, the department has 41 stations, with one additional station planned. © 2021 Calgary Herald, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Nenshi said he was unsure if the investigator’s report will enter public domain, but said he thinks it “needs to be” in the public to follow the spirit of the July 2020 anti-racism public hearings. “I don’t have a lot of visibility into that, and I did ask… because my understanding was that it had been done, but I didn’t have that confirmed,” Mayor Naheed Nenshi said Tuesday. The City of Calgary has hired an independent investigator to look into allegations of racism in the Calgary Fire Department following the city’s anti-racism public hearings in July 2020. Calgary Fire Department Jul 2013 - Dec 2017 4 years 6 months • Reporting on departmental safety and environmental performance. Calgary Anti-Racism Education (CARED) is a project run out of the University of Calgary by Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre. #leadership #diversity Liked by Angela Unger MA. “To those who perhaps ascribe to an old-school, locker-room mentality in the fire department, what can I say other than, ‘Quit it,’ and understand that you serve every single person in this community.”. It offers numerous resources to individuals, businesses and attorneys on anti-racism. Calgary review finds city employees compensated less than private sector. “Particularly disturbing is — because it’s such a horrific visual — hanging a stuffed animal from a noose,” Gondek said on Global News Radio 770 CHQR. Calgary Police Commission – Calgary Police Service – Calgary Police Association – Calgary Police Senior Officers Association As we listen to the public hearings underway this week at City Council, we see the courage demonstrated by many Calgarians who are bringing forward their experiences with racism in Calgary. Anti-Racism Action Committee The Anti-Racism Action Committee is responsible for the development and implementation of a community-based anti-racism strategy that achieves the goals outlined in the Notice of Motion. Chief Steve Dongworth said many reported incidents are under investigation. Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine effective at preventing severe outcomes from 2 variants: studies, Missing woman found alive, living off grass in Utah canyon after 5 months, Click to share quote on Twitter: "(The investigation) is underway and I think it's wrapping up quite quickly here.". In the 1999, Removing Barriers: A Listening Circle Report, Systemic Racism and Discrimination was noted as a common theme in not only the Justice and Educational systems but in Housing, Health, Social Services, Employment and Human Rights. Both Dongworth and the City of Calgary are well aware of the environment of racism and misogyny that has festered for decades in the city's 41 fire halls, the group alleges. The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) provides fire services for the city of Calgary, Alberta. He told the committee members he knows that acts of … “We have been ostracized, humiliated, degraded, slandered, undermined, ignored, verbally and physically assaulted, sexually harassed, and sexually assaulted,” the group wrote. “To my BIPOC colleagues in the fire department, I want to say you should have — and you have every right to have — an extraordinary career. You dreamed of being a firefighter, and let’s make sure that the career lives up to your dreams,” he said. The next issue of Calgary Herald Headline News will soon be in your inbox. On Monday, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he was horrified to learn the charges of racism and abuse in the Calgary Fire Department, after a CBC News story published Monday. “I cannot believe that somebody actually thought that was funny or cool or whatever went through their mind when they did that. in Calgary on Friday, July 26, 2019. Ignoring harmful actions & the systems that perpetuate them is unacceptable. This was a breach of trust, where I felt leadership had taken our commitment to anti-racism to heart. The core stream is outlined here, including a step-by-step guide on beginning your anti-racism … CALGARY -- A letter to the chief of the Calgary Fire Department outlining the alleged racism and discrimination members have experienced on the job has prompted a union response. Join to Connect City of Calgary, Calgary Fire Department ... MPA inspire workplaces to take responsibility to tackle racism internally. Calgary Fire Department Chief Steve Dongworth speaks to media at #16 Station on 11 St SE in Calgary on Friday, July 26, 2019. tap here to see other videos from our team. Nenshi said he also hasn’t seen the results of those investigations, and he also wants answers on what the City knew about the situation. A group of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour call for change inside the walls of Calgary’s fire halls saying they endured years of … This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Mayor Naheed Nenshi said reports of racist abuse at the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) are “unacceptable,” and he wants answers about what the City knew … “It’s this process of not saying anything when you hear a racist remark. 16 Station on 11th Street S.E. They include creating an independent body to investigate workplace misconduct, implementing cross-cultural anti-racism training for CFD members and establishing a zero-tolerance standard for bullying and harassment. • Lead safety and environmental programs and initiatives. “We need to focus on the people who have experienced this and we have to ensure that as best as we can, we have support for them, their voices heard, and then we learn and continue the work that we need to do.”. • Ensure continued registration to the ISO14001:2004 Standard. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Due to the sensitive and/or legal subject matter of some of the content on globalnews.ca, we reserve the ability to disable comments from time to time. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. We are expanding our knowledge, acknowledging shortcomings, listening and learning. Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Calgary Herald, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. Calgary’s fire chief admits he has a problem with racism on his hands. Read more about cookies here. A group of current and former employees wrote to Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth last year, saying they've dealt with a 'toxic' work environment. In a statement Monday, Dongworth said harassment or discrimination “will not be tolerated” at the fire department. The Calgary Police Service is also undertaking anti-racism work. © 2021 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. A file photo of a Calgary Fire Department fire truck. 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. The story by Meghan Grant documented years of abuse reported by BIPOC members of Calgary’s Fire Department. The department currently employs 40 female firefighters who work in a variety of capacities from Firefighter to Assistant Deputy Chief. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. — Jyoti Gondek (@JyotiGondek) January 18, 2021. “This is hard … It’s hard for everybody, but it’s so important,” he said. A CBC report Monday detailed incidents of racism, bullying and harassment that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) firefighters allege they’ve been subjected to, at work. During his 26-year career, Pennington said he heard a variety of racial and ethnic slurs in the fire halls. They said concrete action hasn’t been taken to address workplace abuse. Calgary Fire Department issues warning about storm ponds, “That group is comprised of the city manager, myself — the general manager of community services — the city solicitor, a second lawyer specializing in labour law, the manager of labour relations, members of the respectful workplace office, and an HR leader from business advisory services.”, Black said she regularly meets with CFD Chief Steve Dongworth, adding “we recognize change doesn’t happen overnight.”. Read more: This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Calgary firefighter duty gear is shown at No. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. City council’s public hearings on systemic racism last year included stories about problems within City of Calgary workplaces. “(The investigation) is underway and I think it’s wrapping up quite quickly here.”. “They are exceedingly reasonable.”, Gondek called the CFD allegations an example of systemic racism and an institution that “needs to change the way (its) people act.”. The general manager, whose division includes the CFD, said she expects a confidential report that she will review and act upon. He added that the CFD is working with the City to create a safe disclosure office where employees can report concerns. While the CFA did not receive the letter mentioned in the reporting, our board is following up with the CFD and the City regarding the nine changes. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. “Systemic racism is so embedded within our institutions and organizations,” the Ward 3 councillor said. A piece of Calgary FIre Department apparatus from number one station is parked in front of number two station in downtown Calgary on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. In a recent article from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Calgary fire Chief " Steve Dongworth called reports of racism in his fire halls "concerning" and says problem employees are difficult to deal with because they're ´very clever´ and ´very subtle´ in how they operate". A former Calgary firefighter said he endured countless racism in his 26-year career. Introducing 5 FP Newsletters: Energy, Economy, Investor, Work and Finance, Financial Post: Introducing 5 Newsletters, Reports of racist abuse, harassment at Calgary Fire Department 'unacceptable': Nenshi. Investigation into racism in Calgary Fire Department to conclude ‘soonish’: mayor. 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