Ex-Suspended Asst. Chief Elected to Lead Lewes, DE, Fire Department
The newly elected Lewes fire chief was suspended from the department in 2020 for using a slur on social media.
Bill Buckaloo, then assistant chief, was removed from the position and suspended after he posted photos of a drag show in Rehoboth Beach and used a derogatory term, according to delaware online.
The offensive post was deleted.
Jeremy Bernsteiin, a peformer, told the media after the incident: "What if our house is on fire and there’s a pride flag out front? Are you not going to save the house because we’re gay? It’s about trust."
Fire officials quickly released a statement saying they didn't condone Buckaloo's comments, adding that they would be investigating.
"The department is proud of its long-standing history of protecting the community and will work diligently in restoring any confidence lost by Mr. Buckaloo's comments," according to the statement issued after the incident.
The results of that probe or sanction were not released by Glenn Marshall, the department spokesman.
Buckaloo is not the only Lewes firefighter who has used a slur. In September, a Lewes firefighter used a racial slur over a fire radio channel while at the scene of a car wreck.
After that incident, Marshall told the media: "Here’s the deal. Situation – misguided, unfortunate, it was wrong – occurred. This individual knows it was a mistake and ... regrets it significantly."
The Delaware Fire Prevention Commission is investigating the incident.
In 2023, state legislators gave the commission the authority to investigate potential misconduct by firefighters.
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
