Suspended Florida fire chief says he’s making an effort not to use racist language

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Chief Billy Lord of Ocean City Wright Fire Control District has been suspended for 45 days. Assistant Chief Scott Funchess has a 30 day suspension.  The suspensions are because of numerous complaints of the language both men have admitted using on the job.

The suspensions follow a 138-page report that came from an investigation that began in June by attorney Mark Bonfanti.

This may be the most interesting comment that came from Bonfanti when he presented the summary of his findings to commissioners:

Chief Lord used racist language by his own admission and was making an effort not to use that language.

I’m surprised it hasn’t dawned on those in charge that if your fire chief has to make “an effort not to use that language” that maybe he’s not cut out for the job.

Jennie McKeon, Northwest Florida Daily News:

Bonfanti concluded that Lord and Funchess repeatedly used inappropriate language in the workplace, including racial and homophobic slurs.

Funchess also admitted to using “a derogatory term in relation to sexual orientation.”

Bonfanti said the common theme among the interviews he conducted was mistrust toward the chiefs. Those with complaints were afraid to come forward and lose their jobs, which is why no reports were made. But Bonfanti said there was nothing to substantiate that Lord and Funchess had made wrongful terminations in the past.