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A Brookhaven Fire Department truck was decorated with the Confederate flag during the event in Suffolk County over the weekend, drawing the anger of area residents.
The photo was first posted on social media on Sunday, Aug. 30, and quickly went viral.
In response, Brookhaven Fire Chief Peter Di Pinto, Jr. issued a mea culpa to area residents apologizing for the flag, noting that the move was done without the knowledge or approval of the department.
“The unauthorized action was done without the knowledge of our leadership team and is condemned in the strongest of terms,” DiPinto wrote in a letter to the community. “The strength of our community has always come from its diversity and our department has always sought to be inclusive.
“We can assure our community that ‘racism has no home in our firehouse.’”
The truck was part of a drive-by event to support a longtime Patchogue firefighter battling cancer, according to reports.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone was among those calling out the Brookhaven Fire Department for displaying the Confederate flag.
“I was deeply disturbed and angered to learn that someone would prominently display a Confederate flag on a fire truck in this county, a symbol of division that is not reflective of who we are nor who we aspire to become,” Bellone said. “The individual responsible for this action should be held responsible and I want to thank the Brookhaven Fire Department for their quick response to this matter so that it is handled swiftly and accordingly.
In a statement, Brookhaven councilman Michael Loguercio said the town board "condemns the display of this symbol of racism and hatred in the strongest possible terms,” he said. “It is our hope that those responsible for this hurtful display will be found, identified, and be held accountable for their actions.”
DiPinto said that disciplinary actions have already been initiated by the department, noting that it only involved one rogue firefighter.
“To our community, our fellow firefighters and EMS members, we apologize and can assure you that disciplinary action for this matter has already commenced,” he added. “Because this is a personnel matter and currently under investigation, we cannot give out any further details, except to say the incident involved a sole firefighter, acting along, during a non-response event.”
“While one incident or individual is not reflective of an entire fire department, it is a reminder that we still have more work to do to eradicate hate and bigotry on Long Island,” Bellone added. “Now is the time to come together. Let us redouble our efforts to be better to one another and care for one another especially during these difficult times.
“We are one Suffolk, one Long Island, and together, we will stand against bias and prejudice.”
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