Jacksonville Investigating Offensive Computer Photo

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Posted by: Curt Varone 8 hours ago 1 Comment

Jacksonville Fire Rescue and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office are investigating a prank photo left on a fire department computer depicting a firefighter with a Middle Eastern sounding last name as a possible case of harassment.

The obviously doctored photo was set as the computer’s screensaver and depicts the firefighter with a fake beard juxtaposed with a skull adorned with a Santa cap. The photo includes the words “Jingle BOMBS Jingle BOMBS!!!”

The member’s name has not been released, but he reportedly was not offended by the photo. However, others who saw the photo objected and reported the incident.

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ABOUT CURT VARONE

Curt Varone has over 40 years of fire service experience and 30 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.