Firefighter files suit over his dismissal

HARRISBURG (AP) -- Firefighter Joseph K. Williams arrived in New York City late on the evening of Sept. 11, 2001, and spent nine days in Manhattan as part of an elite state-sponsored urban search-and-rescue team.
After returning home to Harrisburg, Williams received an award for heroism and something he did not expect -- word that his services were no longer needed. More than two years later, his dismissal from both Task Force One, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and from the Harrisburg Fire Bureau's similar unit, Rescue One, has prompted him to file a federal civil-rights lawsuit.
"I think that they were foolish in thinking I wouldn't pursue this matter because I worked hard to get on this job," Williams said Monday.
Williams, 39, who is black, said the reasons he was given for his dismissal were that he spent too much time talking on his cellular telephone and that he showed a "lack of initiative" during the World Trade Center attacks response.
He acknowledged using his cell phone to stay in touch with relatives but said it was only during slow periods in his work as a logistics specialist, keeping track of supplies and equipment.
"The startling thing is there was no 'Hey, Joe, knock it off with the phone' and that sort of thing," said Williams' lawyer, Timothy R. Hough. "I'm still perplexed as to that."
In the eight-count federal suit filed Dec. 22 against the city, its fire bureau, PEMA, and the city and state rescue teams, Williams is seeking more than $100,000 in damages and an injunction to keep the defendants from subjecting him to "retaliation and disparate treatment."
Harrisburg Fire Chief Don Konkle, PEMA spokesman Maria Smith, and lawyers for the state and city governments all said Monday that they had not seen the lawsuit and declined to comment.
'Institutionalized racism'
Williams said there is "institutionalized racism" within the Harrisburg Fire Bureau, where he has worked for nine years.
"It's like I have to work hard to get the same treatment that the Caucasian members get," Williams said. He said he believes that losing his spot on the two search-and-rescue teams has hampered his prospects for advancement within the department, caused him financial hardship and triggered bouts of depression.
White members of the search-and-rescue team who have been in disciplinary trouble received more lenient treatment, Hough said.
"There's going to be some evidence that there were other people, who did other things that were relatively more serious, that got warnings or brief suspensions, that weren't dismissed summarily as he was," Hough said.
Complaints filed by Williams with the state and city human relations commissions did not result in any specific findings, although he was issued a right-to-sue letter, Hough said.
The firefighters union turned down his request for a grievance, according to Williams.