The Kansas City Fire Department is under fire for an alleged culture of racism

Kansas City’s fire chief says she’s “fully committed” to dealing with racism in the department. The Kansas City Star exposed discrimination against people of color and women inside the firefighting ranks. During a City Council meeting Thursday, Councilman Lee Barnes was angry about one episode involving a Black cadet having a noose placed around his neck by a white.  “If anyone getting on the fire department doesn’t understand what a damn noose means to Black folks … What we should be appreciative of is that the young man didn’t try to wring the guy’s neck,” Barnes said.

Fire Chief Donna Lake, who has been the chief for about one year, said the department has been trying to address the issues of a force dominated by white men.