A Nashville Hearth Division District EMS chief is dealing with disciplinary motion over a social media submit during which he lashed out on the LGBT group, hearth officers stated.
Tim Lankford, an almost 30-year veteran with division, was positioned on desk obligation final month after division officers discovered about a number of posts on his Fb web page perceived as racial, stereotypical and or threatening towards some members of the general public, in accordance with a two-page letter signed by Nashville Hearth Division Deputy Director Steve Holt.
The letter, dated June 13, states the posts raised considerations that his opinions might influence his potential to work with others and do his job.
One learn he was "so disturbed concerning the Supreme Courtroom ruling as we speak I can barely even perform at my job. What has this nation develop into." The ruling referenced the current excessive courtroom's choice to legalize same-sex marriages nationwide.
In one other publish, he threatened the transgender group with bodily hurt.
"The primary man who goes right into a restroom with my daughter won't have to fret about surgical procedure," the Might 20th publish learn.
Lankford is accused of violating the division's social media coverage as a result of he recognized himself as a NFD worker on his Fb web page and in addition talked about his rank as district chief, a supervisor place, Holt wrote within the letter.
Authorities say he did not "state in clear phrases that their expressed views are theirs alone and don't mirror the views of the Nashville Hearth Division. Besides as approved, all staff are prohibited from representing the Nashville Hearth Division by way of their private use of social media."
Landford, within the interim, has been taken out of the sector and positioned on administrative duties, Hearth Division spokesman Brian Haas stated.
"I do not even know why I stated that stuff as a result of I do not consider it. I've acquired a number of buddies on this depart who're homosexual or lesbian," Lanford informed Hearth Commander Tim Anderson and assistant chiefs Walter Demonbreun Jr. and Lenny Manning throughout a July 12 disciplinary listening to.   "I've by no means had my character referred to as into query. l I do not prefer it and I do not like hurting individuals."
Lankford, 52, stated he is skilled a slew of private points over the previous yr and half together with the demise of his first spouse.
"If I had a clearer thoughts I would not be sitting right here," he stated. "(When) I stated I could not perform at my job it wasn't due to something the Supreme Courtroom did it was as a result of I had misplaced my spouse of about 30 years...I haven't got any prejudice towards anyone."
Lankford, who stated he has since remarried, stated he has since deleted his Fb account.
A choice on any disciplinary motion on the case is predicted to be made by Hearth Chief Rick White inside the subsequent a number of days, Haas stated Wednesday.
Attain Natalie Neysa Alund at 615-259-8072. Comply with her on Twitter @nataliealund.
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