Firefighter Allegedly Pulled Down His Pants, Wiped Butt With COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Letter

A Los Angeles firefighter is facing the heat because of his alleged "inappropriate reaction" to a letter asking him to comply with the city's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The unidentified firefighter, who is a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department, has been accused of dropping his pants and wiping his butt with the noncompliance letter before tossing it away.

The Stentorians of Los Angeles City, a group representing African American firefighters, said the firefighter left some fecal matter on the document before throwing it on the ground, Los Angeles Times reported. The incident happened at Fire Station 69 in Pacific Palisades and an LAFD captain and a chief officer witnessed it, the nonprofit group alleged.

"The department is aware of the seriousness of the allegations and took immediate action upon learning of this incident," LAFD spokeswoman Cheryl Getuiza said in a statement Wednesday. The incident allegedly took place on Nov. 18.

The accused has been placed on administrative leave. The firefighter "will face the consequences of any inappropriate acts," Getuiza said.

The department was "aware of an incident where a member responded inappropriately to a hand-delivered letter to comply," the spokeswoman said in a previous statement. She added that all city employees must follow the vaccination mandate or face termination unless they file for an exemption.

"No matter how our members react, all city employees must abide by the city ordinance — either file for an exemption, get vaccinated, or face termination," Getuiza said.

"The LA City Stentorians are sickened and disgusted by this horrific display of unprofessionalism. To date, we have not heard from anyone from the LAFD administration condemning this act of blatant disrespect and harassment," the nonprofit said in a statement sent to the Board of Fire Commissioners and city leaders. Calling the act a "terminable" offense, the group included a photo of a man holding what seemed to be a discolored document along with their statement.

Jimmie Woods-Gray, president of the City of Los Angeles Fire Commission, said he was "beyond appalled at such an act by an LAFD firefighter."

"Strong corrective action is necessary," he added.