Firefighter’s exterminating migrants Facebook comment impacts two NC departments
The firefighter has parted ways with both his career & volunteer departments
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SMACSS (Social Media Assisted Career Suicide Syndrome) is taking its toll in two North Carolina fire departments this week over a Facebook comment about immigration. Caleb Folwell was a career firefighter at the North Chatham Fire Department. Folwell’s comment, according to WRAL-TV, was about the nation’s immigration problems. After suggesting the U.S. is “too easy on them” the comment under Folwell’s name said, “They should exterminate all captive right now and broadcast it over Mexican National TV to send a message if you cross illegally you die.”
What has apparently died is Folwell’s career as a firefighter. According to the news report, he parted ways with the fire department on Monday. Folwell’s remarks were also featured in the Spanish language publication Mundo Hispanico.
In what is apparently a story related to Folwell’s comments, WXII-TV is reporting two members of the Julian Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department have been removed over the Facebook comments by one of the members. WXII-TV’s story does not explain what was posted or who posted it, but the statement from the department indicates an interim chief has been appointed:
Julian Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department respects all the residents and visitors of the fire district regardless of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, political views or sexual orientation. Furthermore, we are working with the governments of Guilford County and Randolph County to re-establish the trust of the community and will focus on professional response and conduct for anyone that needs emergency assistance.
We deeply regret the actions of our former members and we apologize to anyone that may have been offended.
Starting Wednesday, Guilford County Fire Marshal, Stephen Thomas, will serve as the interim fire chief.
To unravel that mystery just check the comments on this Julian Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department Facebook page. The comments describe the same Facebook message about immigration cited in the WRAL-TV story.
According to various postings on the Internet, the chief of Julian Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department since 2008 was Jeff Folwell. Chief Folwell also has an adult son named Caleb. Chief Jeff Folwell was critically injured in December of 2011 when he jumped over an I-85 concrete barrier in a rain storm to help a motorist and fell 25-feet to the ground.
More about how all of this was handled from the point of view of Laura Burns. Burns was the person in the Facebook conversation with Caleb Folwell that prompted the extermination comment.
