ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Division of Human Rights has resolved complaints against the Brookhaven, Levittown and Holbrook Fire Departments over allegations of displaying Confederate flags and enforcing discriminatory membership policies.
The settlements, finalized between July 2024 and January 2025, require the departments to pay $28,000 in civil fines and implement policy changes to prevent future discrimination, WRGB reported.
The complaints, originally filed in 2021, accused the Brookhaven Fire Department of displaying a Confederate flag on a fire truck during an event in August 2020 and the Levittown Fire Department’s drill team, known as the “Rebels,” of using equipment featuring a cartoon character holding a Confederate flag, both in violation of the New York State Human Rights Law.
Additionally, the Brookhaven and Levittown Fire Departments were found to have used membership applications that unlawfully required applicants to disclose their U.S. citizenship status and felony history. The Division further alleged that some applications requested information about an applicant’s national origin, religion and other protected classes, violating state law.
As part of the settlement, the three departments have agreed to revise their membership applications and policies to comply with the New York State Human Rights Law.
The departments must also participate in training on the Human Rights Law and will be monitored by the Division for three years to ensure compliance. Failure to adhere to the agreement could result in further penalties.
The New York State Human Rights Law prohibits both professional and volunteer fire departments from discriminating against or denying membership based on race, color, religion, national origin, marital status and other protected characteristics.
