Feds Find Employment Bias at Jacksonville Fire Department

Federal officials say employment practices at Jacksonville’s Fire and Rescue Department are discriminatory, retaliatory and hostile to African-Americans.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found during an 11-month investigation that the department discriminates in hiring, promotions, job assignments and discipline. They also found that black firefighters who complain are subject to retaliation and a hostile work environment.

The commission’s Miami district director, Jacqueline McNair, said the evidence shows a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The city’s assistant general counsel says “there’s no basis” for the commission’s findings.

The NAACP and the Jacksonville Brotherhood of Firefighters filed the discrimination charges in July.