Tallman Fire Chief “Will Not Tolerate Any Hateful Comments” After Suspending Firefighter who Reportedly Unleashed Antisemitic Slurs

By Sarah Morgenstern

Tallman Fire Chief Thomas Stephens, Jr., has not only suspended the firefighter who allegedly unleashed a slew of hateful slurs at Chaverim volunteers, but the fire chief also released a strong statement against hate.

The Chaverim volunteers were helping victims of a kitchen fire that broke out and was quickly contained without causing any injuries on Sunday morning at 11:40am at 18 Olympia Lane in Monsey.

Rockland Chaveirim, who work hand-in-hand with the Ramapo Police Department and local fire departments, is comprised of more than 200 volunteers who use their own time and energy to respond to more than 100 calls every day.

After receiving several complaints that one of his firefighters made hateful comments to the Jewish volunteers, Chief Stephens said, “The Department will not tolerate any hateful comments made towards any group under any circumstances.”

The facts of the firefighter’s verbal assault will be investigated by someone without ties to the community, nor the fire department and in a reasonable timeframe, added Chief Stephens.

“Until such time,” Stephens wrote in a statement, the accused firefighter “will be restricted from responding to emergencies.”