Fla. Battalion Chief Accused of Sexism, Racism Fired

Nov. 03--HALLANDALE BEACH -- Jeff Lyon, a battalion chief accused of using the term "no bitch Tuesdays," was fired Friday amid allegations of harassment -- claims he denies.

His termination comes more than two weeks after Fire Chief Dan Sullivan was fired after a department-wide investigation determined he tolerated a culture of fear, intimidation and hostile management at the city's fire stations.

The investigation also revealed that Lyon, 48, had made inappropriate comments about women, minorities and lesbians, according to an Oct. 30 termination letter signed by City Manager Renee Miller.

Among the findings:

• He admitted referring to a black firefighter as a token.
• He allegedly referred to shifts with no women on them as "no bitch Tuesdays."
• He was overheard by a few witnesses saying women don't belong in the fire service and can't do the job.
• He asked some of his women subordinates about their sexual orientation.

Lyon, a 13-year veteran who earned a $106,654 salary, denies harassing anyone. He hopes to get his job back by appealing to the state's Public Employee Relations Commission, said his attorney, Randy Fleischer.

Under department rules, Lyon should have been allowed to move one position down in the chain of command to avoid termination, his attorney said.

"The stuff they're saying is really ridiculous," Fleischer said. "Most of the things happened years ago. One of the most damaging things said about him was [that he referred to a black] firefighter as a token. Lyon [didn't know the firefighter was in the room and] apologized to him twice. That's the only thing he admitted to."

Lyon denied making derogatory comments or berating his female subordinates, but the city manager noted that the incidents were corroborated by several witnesses.

Though hard working and smart, Lyon "lacks the people skills to be an effective leader," Miller wrote.

Sullivan was fired October 12, six months after being sent home on paid leave amid allegations he had tolerated a pervasive climate of discrimination that belittled minorities and women.

The investigation began in February, when administrative analyst Stephanie Delgado sent an email to Sullivan accusing Deputy Chief Gregg Pagliarulo of showing concern over her ability to do her job while pregnant.

Two months later, Sullivan was placed on paid leave after Delgado said she overheard him criticizing the city manager's decision to have the city attorney conduct the investigation rather than an outside consultant.

Division Chief Mark Ellis, named acting fire chief in April, will oversee the city's 78 firefighters and 18 lifeguards until a new chief is named, Miller said.

sbryan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4554

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