Nash. paramedic suspended anti-gay comments/FB

Written by

Stephanie Toone | The Tennessean

Kevin Kennedy 

 Nashville Fire Department officials suspended a 20-year department veteran Friday after he made anti-gay comments on a social media site, an incident gay rights advocates say proves that the group needs legal protections.

Fire Chief Steve Halford ordered the two-month suspension after a departmental hearing last week for paramedic Kevin Kennedy. Kennedy was accused of posting on his own Facebook page and the Nashville Fire Department Emergency Medical Services’ page that homosexuality was a perversion. He also called two gay EMS workers “queers” who should “crawl back into the closet,” said Deputy Chief Kim Lawson, spokeswoman for the department.

The department was notified of the posts on Aug. 3.

“We have a diverse group of employees in the fire department who respond to the needs of a diverse community,” Lawson said. “This disrupts the order of discipline. We have an important job. These actions in no way are tolerated.”

Kennedy, who lives in Shelbyville, had no prior disciplinary record and earned “acceptable” performance evaluations over his career with the department, said Robin Brown, Metro Human Resources spokeswoman.

He will be required to pay for and show proof of his participation in an anger management program and diversity training before he returns to work, Lawson said. Before the suspension, Kennedy was charged with five counts of misconduct, including participation in a pattern of harassment toward a Metro employee and using threat of violence or intimidation toward others, according to his charge sheet.

Punishment applauded

Deputy Chief Steve Meador, head of the paramedics/EMS bureau, reported Kennedy’s Facebook comments when they were posted on the private group page, “NFD/EMS.” It’s unclear how his comments showed up on both pages, but Kennedy was a member of the Facebook group, which was primarily used as a message board for training and policy questions for EMS, Lawson said. By posting on a department-sponsored page and using a profile picture dressed in his NFD uniform, Kennedy disregarded departmental policy on social media.

“We have not faced this issue before, but as social media expands, it is a concern,” Lawson said. “ In no way did we want people to think the department was associated with anti-gay comments.”

Chris Sanders, Tennessee Equality Project Nashville committee chairman, said Kennedy’s punishment is just, and he applauds the fire department’s response. The incident highlights the need for legislation such as the 2009 ordinance that protects Metro employees from sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination, and the similar bill, nullified by the General Assembly this year, that would have protected employees of Metro contractors, he said.

“The Nashville Fire Department through its actions has made a clear statement that it will not tolerate discrimination or a hostile work environment,” Sanders said.

The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 140 fire union members represented Kennedy during the departmental hearing and would be willing to represent him if he chooses to appeal, said fire union president Mark Young. Kennedy has not decided to appeal, and he did offer an apology to his colleagues during last week’s hearing.

“He regrets the decision he made. He is a superior paramedic and went above and beyond in giving medical care to all,” Young said. “Does the punishment fit the crime? Well, that’s a matter of opinion.”

Kennedy isn’t speaking to the media, Young said.

Contact Stephanie Toone at 615-259-8079 orstoone@tennessean.com.

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