Watch CBS News

Fire Commissioner, Union Condemn Philly Firefighter's Charlottesville Facebook Post

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Fire Department and the firefighters union are condemning a firefighter's Facebook post about the deadly Charlottesville, Virginia, race protests.

Trump: 'Are We Gonna Take Down Statues To George Washington?'

Philadelphia firefighter John Deluisi posted on Facebook a photo of him wearing a Confederate hat, while holding a tiki torch, with the caption, "Headed to VA."

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel called it a "reprehensible social media post."

"Racist images, symbols, words and actions are contrary to our mission and values and have absolutely no place in our Department," Thiel said in a statement. "We will take swift and decisive personnel action after a full investigation. The Department will follow-up with intensive and focused workplace conduct training for our more than 2,600 members."

Police: Man Arrested For Throwing Eggs At Frank Rizzo Statue

Ed Marks, president of Philadelphia Firefighters & Paramedics Local 22, echoed Thiel's statement, saying that an internal investigation will be launched.

"The Philadelphia Firefighters & Paramedics Union Local 22 condemns the highly insensitive message written by one of our members regarding this weekend's racially-charged rioting in Virginia," Marks said. "That terrible situation, in which lives were lost, is no joking matter."

Heather Heyer, 32, died when a car plowed into a group of counter-protesters in Charlottesville on Saturday. Police arrested 20-year-old James Alex Fields Jr. in her death.

Two troopers also died in a police helicopter crash that was monitoring the protests.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.