A social media video surfaced over the weekend showing an off-duty Alameda County firefighter making racially insensitive comments in a heated exchange on a Central Valley freeway, the department chief confirmed Monday.
The driver who recorded the video told Sacramento TV station KCRA the comments came following a crash Friday on Highway 99 in Lodi. It started as an argument over who was at fault.
Eventually, the driver accused the firefighter of being racist, which the firefighter denied in part with four-letter words.
The Alameda County Fire Department confirmed the man in the video was a member of the department but did not immediately share the firefighter's identity or employment status. Chief William McDonald, however, issued a statement.
"Our department is committed to gathering all the facts, and we are addressing this situation in a manner that reflects our dedication to integrity, professionalism and community trust," the statement said.
McDonald also said Monday the firefighter's actions and behavior do not reflect the values of the department. The firefighter was placed on paid administrative leave as the department investigates the incident, he said.
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Stockton resident Vath Touch said he’s still recovering both physically and emotionally after the incident. He said the interaction with the off-duty Alameda County firefighter left him shaken.
“When I called him out after he called me a dumb Mexican, I go ‘Oh you’re a racist?’” he said. “Then that’s when he said I’m not a racist I’m a fireman. I’m thinking to myself at that moment that doesn’t make anything right for you to say all of that just because you’re a fireman.”
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Touch, who works at a winery cellar, said it was demeaning to be stereotyped and mistreated, especially by someone in public service.
"You’re making all that money to save people's lives and then you’re out here belittling the minorities in the community, that can’t happen," he said.
Touch said he thinks the man should be fired and he’s taking time off to recover from neck and back pain. He also has to get his smashed-up car repaired.
