The former human resources director for the Seattle Fire Department has filed a tort claim with the City of Seattle alleging she was terminated in retaliation for reporting misconduct, on-duty drinking, and sexism within the department.
According to the claim, Sarah Lee, who served as SFD’s civilian HR director, reported multiple concerns to senior leadership before being dismissed. She alleges that in one instance, a fire apparatus driver was found with open cans of hard seltzer in his locker but remained on duty. Lee claims she raised the issue with the command staff, but that the firefighter was not immediately removed from service.
The claim also cites complaints from women in the department who reported harassment and a hostile work environment. One female firefighter allegedly discovered her uniforms shredded with a box cutter after filing a complaint about a supervisor. Lee asserts that these incidents were mishandled and that women employees told her they felt unsafe or marginalized…