Two Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department employees are suing the City of Jacksonville, saying they were retaliated against for testifying in a racial discrimination case.
That complaint was filed by JFRD Capt. Eric Mitchell.
The employees said they were told they need to "get rid of" Mitchell. This isn't the first time JFRD has faced allegations of discrimination and hostile work environments concerning African-American firefighters.
On Thursday, Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole went to the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters to ask the president if he thinks there’s a bigger problem.
Cole asked, "Is there a problem with racism as far as JFRD is concerned?"
"Absolutely not," said Randy Wise, president of Jacksonville Association of Firefighters, "In any large organization like that, when something doesn't go as an employee would like it, sometimes there is perception that their race or gender might be associated with the decision the department makes.”