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Spokane firefighters investigated over calendar with 'sexual poses'

The calendar depicted members of Spokane Fire Station 4 “engaging in horseplay with city equipment and resources and making inappropriate sexual poses," records say.
Credit: KREM
A photo from the firefighters' calendar obtained through a public records request

SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane firefighters were the subject of a Human Resources investigation after they posed for a calendar, according to records obtained by KREM.

According to public records, the calendar depicted members of Spokane Fire Station 4 “engaging in horseplay with city equipment and resources and making inappropriate sexual poses.”

Records say that the calendar may have been produced using city internet and intranet systems and sold to other members of the fire department.

The investigation was launched for violations of the code of ethics and administrative policy for internet access and a civil service rule governing the violation of written personnel policies, conduct unbecoming of an officer or employee of the city, and solicitation, according to records. 

The City of Spokane’s Human Resources department launched the investigation after receiving a complaint from someone who had seen the calendar displayed at Fire Station 15 on March 5, records say. 

The calendar features the firefighters wearing rompers as they pose with a fire engine and other equipment. 

Spokane Firefighters Union President Tim Archer, who was part of a team representing the firefighters during the investigation, said the calendar was aimed at raising money for muscular dystrophy.

Archer said he also believes that Spokane Fire Department Chief Brian Schaeffer targeted the firefighters who posed for the calendar. 

Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer released a statement regarding the investigation.

It reads:

The city of Spokane and the Spokane Fire Department value inclusion and equity and believe all employees and citizens must be treated with dignity and respect,” Schaeffer said in a statement Wednesday. “The employees, in this case, did not act consistently with those core values.

As fire chief, it is my responsibility to take appropriate corrective action to ensure a safe workplace free of harassment for everyone. Appropriate action has been taken to avoid this behavior in the future and continue the department’s commitment to serving our community and each other with professionalism and respect.

City Spokesperson Marlene Feist said the firefighters were counseled in response to the incident.

RELATED: Several SFD firefighters investigated as part of probe into ‘pattern of workplace bullying'

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